KANO, Nigeria — Nigerians passed through metal detectors to enter church on Easter Sunday and held services at squalid displaced camps days after an explosion of deadly post-poll unrest.
Hundreds are believed to have died in the violence that erupted over President Goodluck Jonathan's election win over his northern rival Muhammadu Buhari in April 16 polls, while an estimated 74,000 were displaced.
A Nigerian rights group has put the death toll at nearly 250 and rising, particularly in remote, hard to access areas, but authorities have declined to confirm any figures out of fear of reprisal attacks.
Rioting broke out in the country's mainly Muslim north following the election that saw Jonathan, a southern Christian, defeat Buhari with 57 percent of the vote compared to the northerner's 31 percent.
It quickly spread across the region, leading to mobs roaming the streets with machetes and sticks, dragging people from cars and burning victims' homes and shops.
Churches were also set alight, and Muslims were targeted in reprisal attacks.
In the main northern city of Kano, some attended mass at military and police barracks where they have taken refuge, while others went to their regular churches.
An overflow crowd sought to attend the mass at one police barracks, many standing outside and listening to the service through a loudspeaker.
The sandy ground where they have been sleeping was not far away, with clothes and cooking materials drying in the sun.
"I've been here with my family since Monday," said Eyo Anthony, a 41-year-old aluminum vendor.
"Although it's been calm in the past two days, I don't intend to go back to my house ... until after the governors' elections. I know how I managed to escape with my family and I don't want to relive the same experience."
He said he, his wife and two children fled on Monday when rioters arrived in the neighbourhood and began burning shops.
In the tense central city of Jos on Sunday, Christians attended church but were screened with metal detectors on entry.
"I don't fear because there is nothing to fear," said Joseph Garba as he entered the ECWA Good News Church in the city. "If you are going to God's house, there is no cause to fear. He is there for you."
Curfews and military patrols have largely brought calm to Africa's most populous nation, but concerns were mounting over governorship polls scheduled for Tuesday in most of the country's 36 states.
The ruling party is projected to lose in a number of states, raising allegations that desperate politicians may attempt to rig in certain areas.
Allegations of rigging set off some of the initial riots following the presidential election.
Some analysts say the upcoming elections may hold the most risk for violence because of the large budgets and patronage networks governors control.
Nigeria's enormous effort to hold credible elections this year has made it more difficult for politicians to commit electoral fraud.
The presidential vote was hailed by observers as a huge step forward in Africa's largest oil producer, which is seeking to overcome a history of deeply flawed ballots, though they have noted that serious problems remain.
Buhari has challenged the results but has disassociated himself from the violence. Many have criticised him for not publicly coming out more strongly against the rioting in the days after the vote.
Source: AFP
