Jos violence quelled by Nigerian army

Troops sent by Nigerian vice president Goodluck Jonathan are keeping the peace for now in the northern city of Jos, according to reports prepared by Al Jazeera. A twenty four hour curfew is in force, according to a report prepared by Voice of America (VOA).

Professor Kabiru Mato of the University of Abuja, interviewed by the VOA, traces the current spate of violence to a number of factors, including social apathy, economic deprivation, and political frustration. The necessity of action to quell the violence in Jos does appear to have forced President Yar'Adua to delegate at least some token powers to his vice president, Goodluck Jonathan.