Muslims in the Nigerian Fulani ethnic group are being blamed for the deaths of 500 Christians belonging to the Berom ethnic group. The Fulani are nomadic in nature and the Beron are homestead farmers. In January, 326 people were killed in a previous clash.

According to State Information Minister Gregory Yenlong,

“We have over 500 killed in three villages and the survivors are busy burying their dead. People were attacked with axes, daggers and cutlasses — many of them children, the aged and pregnant women.”

Survivors of the attacks, (three separate villages were attacked and women and children were hacked to death or burned alive in their homes), are expressing anger towards their authorities for not acting quickly enough. Muslim villagers living in these Christian villages were warned two days ahead via text messages before the attacks occurred. Nigeria’s acting President Goodluck Jonathan has fired the country’s chief security advisor.

This violence happened near the northern city of Jos.

The AFP reports:

Locals said Sunday’s attacks were the result of a feud which had been first ignited by a theft of cattle and then fuelled by deadly reprisals.

Rights activists also said the slaughter appeared to be revenge for the January attacks, in which mainly Muslims were killed.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged “all parties to exercise restraint.”

She added: “The Nigerian government should ensure that the perpetrators of acts of violence are brought to justice under the rule of law and that human rights are respected as order is restored.”