Islamists Continue Religious Clash in Nigeria

New Clashes in Central Nigeria After Deadly Friday Bombings

VoA News: New religious clashes broke out in central Nigeria Sunday, two days after bombings that killed 32 people in the city of Jos.

Witnesses report that buildings were set on fire in Jos in the clashes between armed Christian and Muslim groups. Security forces were sent to break up the fighting, as smoke billowed over the area.

There are unconfirmed reports of people being injured in the Sunday clashes.

On Saturday, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan pledged to hunt down those responsible for the Friday bombings.

In a public appearance, Mr. Jonathan said the government will do everything possible to “unearth” those behind the killings.

The army chief of staff, Lieutenant General Azbuike Ihijirika, criticized intelligence gathering operations in Jos that failed to prevent the attacks. He said intelligence operations will be improved.

Clashes between religious and ethnic groups have killed hundreds of people in and around Jos in recent years. The city is located in Nigeria's Middle Belt, a region where the mostly Muslim north meets the mainly Christian south.

Officials say 32 people died and 74 were wounded in the series of explosions that rocked Jos Friday evening. Many of the victims were last-minute Christmas shoppers.