2001 Jos riots

The 2001 Jos riots were riots involving Christians and Muslims in Jos, Nigeria, over the appointment of a Muslim politician, Alhaji Muktar Mohammed, as local coordinator of the federal poverty alleviation program.

[2][3] Religious and ethnic conflicts have repeatedly occurred in Jos due to the city's geographical placement in Nigeria.

[4][5] In June 2001 the federal government appointed a Hausa Muslim politician, Alhaji Muktar Mohammed, as local coordinator of the federal poverty alleviation program, leading indigene Christians to protest his appointment.

[citation needed] Tensions turned violent on 7 September 2001, when a Christian woman attempted to cross a barricaded street outside a mosque during Friday prayers.

[7] Because of the large number of people killed in the clashes, a mass burial had to be arranged.