Nigeria's government has sent troops to the flashpoint northern Jos region after attacks by machete-wielding gangs on Christian villages that officials say killed at least 500 people.
Under fire for failing to prevent another outburst of sectarian violence only weeks after hundreds died in Muslim-Christian clashes, authorities say they have arrested scores of people in connection with the latest attacks.
Witnesses described how the mainly women and children victims in yesterday’s three-hour attacks were caught in animal traps and fishing nets as they tried to flee their attackers, who hacked them to death.
Witnesses said armed gangs had scared the victims out of their homes by firing into the air but most of the killings were as a result of machete attacks.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon has appealed for restraint by all sides.
Mr Ban said he was 'deeply concerned' by the latest outbreak of inter-religious violence 'with appalling loss life'.
He said: 'I appeal to all concerned to exercise maximum restraint.
'Nigeria's political and religious leaders should work together to address the underlying causes and to achieve a permanent solution to the crisis in Jos.'
The official death toll was initially put at a little over 100 but the number – though still varying depending on the source - has now been raised substantially to at least 500.
Death tolls have been highly politicised in previous outbreaks of unrest in central Nigeria, with various factions accused of either exaggerating the figures for political ends or downplaying them to try to douse the risk of reprisals.
The local government said it has arrested 95 people in connection with the attacks. Government troops are now patrolling the area.
Much of the violence was centred around the village of Dogo Nahawa where gangs from the mainly Muslim Fulani ethnic group set fire to thatched mud huts before embarking on the killing rampage in the early hours of yesterday.
Locals said that the attacks were the result of a spiralling feud between the Fulani and the rival Berom clan, which had been first ignited by a theft of cattle and then further fuelled by a deadly revenge attack.
Plateau state lies at the crossroads of Nigeria's Muslim north and Christian south and fierce competition for control of fertile farmlands between indigenous groups and settlers from the north have repeatedly triggered unrest over the past decade.
The explosion of violence between rival ethic and religious groups in January left 326 dead in Jos, according to police, although religious and human rights activists put the overall toll at more than 550.
