United Nations Radio

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he is deeply saddened by the inter-ethnic violence which erupted in the Nigerian city of Jos on Friday.

According to reports, the violence has claimed at least 200 lives and bodies awaiting burial are piled up at hospital wards in Jos.

Churches and mosques were burnt by groups armed with machetes who went on the rampage amid reports that the elections in Plateau State, of which Jos is the capital, were rigged.

In a statement issued late on Monday, the Secretary-General extends his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Nigeria as a whole.

He says he is encouraged by the Nigerian government response to efforts to bring the situation under control and to restore normalcy.

The Secretary-General stresses that the United Nations is ready to contribute to efforts to help those affected by the violence.

United Nations Radio, Diane Bailey

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