Rioting begins between Muslim and Christian groups in Jos, Nigeria, results in at least 200 deaths.

January 17, 2010

Rioting begins between Muslim and Christian groups in Jos, Nigeria, results in at least 200 deaths.

The 2010 Jos riots were clashes between Muslim and Christian ethnic groups in central Nigeria in and near the city of Jos. Jos is the capital of Plateau State, in the middle of the divide between the predominantly Muslim north of Nigeria and the predominantly Christian south. Since 2001, the area has been plagued by violence motivated by multiple factors. The clashes have been characterised as "religious violence" by many news sources, although others cite ethnic and economic differences as the root of the violence.