Post-election violence in Nigeria claimed 800 lives

More than 800 people were killed in riots that broke out across northern Nigeria after April’s presidential election, according to an international human rights group.
by Brian Hutt
Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report on Monday that the Nigerian government must move “promptly” to bring the perpetrators of the violence to justice.

The violence was triggered by the re-election of Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian from southern Nigeria.

Supporters of his main opponent, Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim from the north, demonstrated against the outcome, saying that the election had been rigged.

The protests quickly turned violent, with Muslims attacking Christians they suspected of having supported Jonathan and the ruling People’s Democratic Party. the rest