Renewed clashes in Nigeria after bombings

There has been a resurgence in the violence between armed Christian and Muslim groups in the central Nigerian city of Jos

Witnesses talked of buildings being set alight and injured covered in blood being dragged to hospital.

This latest unrest was triggered by bombings on Christmas Eve that killed at least 32 and left over 70 critically injured.

The city is in Nigeria’s volatile Middle Belt between the mainly Muslim north and the Christian south.

Vice President Namadi Sambo is expected to travel there.

In Rome Pope Benedict condemned Christmas Day attacks on two Christian churches, while Italy’s foreign ministry said it would summon the Nigerian ambassador to express its concern.

The unrest comes ahead of the ruling party’s primaries on January 13th. President Goodluck Jonathan is a southerner who inherited office when President Umaru Yar’Adua a northerner died during his first term.

Now there are fears any unrest will be exploited by rivals leading up to elections.

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