A nation divided
In January 2012, more than 100 Christians were killed in a single day of coordinated attacks after Muslim extremists warned Christians to leave the north or face the consequences. Religious riots are common in northern Nigeria. Churches, mosques, schools, homes, government buildings and businesses are burned and destroyed by angry rioters during these outbreaks of violence. Recently, nominal Christians have retaliated with their own brutal attacks. Christians in northern Nigeria complain of discrimination by the Muslim-controlled government. In some cases, young women are kidnapped, compelled to convert to Islam and forcibly married to Muslim men.