Armed troops have been deployed in a central Nigerian city following a rumour of a possible outbreak of an unrest similar to one in September which claimed about 500 lives, Radio Nigeria reported Saturday.
The rumour created panic in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, where traders swiftly closed their shops and the drivers of commercial vehicles took them off the streets, residents contacted by AFP said Saturday.
Soldiers and riot policemen were patrolling the streets of Jos following a rumour of uncertain origin that some people were planning Friday to unleash terror in the city, the radio said.
Top local officials, including Deputy State Governor Michael Botmang, appealed to residents to ignore the rumour, which he described as the "handiwork of mischief makers" bent on causing panic and instability.
Several hundred people were killed after clashes between Christians and Muslims broke out in Jos on September 7, while scores of buildings, including churches and mosques, and hundreds of vehicles were burnt.
The state-run Daily Times reported at the time that 500 corpses had been laid to rest in a mass grave. One academic source told AFP that the toll may have been as high as 2,000.
Soldiers were then deployed on the streets of Jos and its environs to restore calm.
The government has set up a panel to probe the September clashes -- LAGOS, (AFP)
