Nigeria violence said to be work of past offenders

By Randy Fabi

ABUJA (Reuters) - Many of the Nigerians responsible for the sectarian clashes that killed hundreds in Jos last week were the same people arrested but not prosecuted after similar violence in November 2008, a state government spokesman said.

Four days of clashes between Christian and Muslim mobs armed with guns, knives and machetes killed more than 300 people in the Plateau state capital and surrounding communities last week before Vice President Goodluck Jonathan sent in the military to contain the violence.

Politicians urged Nigerian authorities to prosecute the community leaders and gangs behind the fighting if it wants to prevent future conflicts.

"We are afraid the same situation will occur again. They were moved to Abuja last time, but were never prosecuted," Plateau state government spokesman Gregory Yenlong said.

"As it is now, we hope those arrested will return to Jos where they can be prosecuted."

More than 300 people were arrested in last week's clashes and about half are expected to be sent to Nigeria's capital Abuja for prosecution, police said.

But many of Nigeria's prisons are overcrowded and the legal system overburdened with cases. It is not uncommon for communities to punish criminals themselves and blame their actions on the country's weak judicial system.

"This is not the first time that the government has promised justice but the government has not prosecuted those responsible," said Corinne Dufka of U.S.-based Human Rights Watch. "The world is now watching. It is time to act."