Central Nigeria on "high alert"

A group of Nigerians armed with guns, machetes and spears has killed hundreds of people in villages near the central city of Jos.

Local villagers - predominantly Christian - blame Muslim herdsmen for the attack.

Clashes between the two communities are not uncommon due to a historical feud over control for the region's fertile farmland.

Following the attack, the government has deployed thousands of troops to secure the region, which has been put on high alert for fears of reprisal ambushes.

AL Jazeera's Yvonne Ndege reports from the Nigerian capital Abuja.

[March 9, 2010]