Nigeria violence leaves 800 dead: HRW

Shortly after the announcement of the election result riots broke out in Nigeria

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/180258.html

Human Rights Watch (HRW) says 800 people have been killed in election related violence in Nigeria following the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The New York-based rights group gave Monday's estimate based on 55 interviews conducted with witnesses of violence as well as members of the clergy, traditional leaders, police officials and journalists, AP reported.

Violence ignited in the aftermath of the April presidential elections which saw Jonathan, a Christian, re-elected.

An unofficial agreement in Nigerian diplomacy calls for its presidential candidates to take turns between the country's Christian south and Muslim north.

The unexpected death of former Muslim President Umar Musa Yar'Adua, who was expected to be re-elected for another term, is believed to have advanced former Vice President Jonathan into the presidential seat.

Jonathan created a panel to investigate the post-election violence last week.

The panel is in charge of determining the number of casualties and the cause of the riots, in hopes of preventing violence from escalating further.