Lagos, Nigeria - Fears that the incessant attacks on Christians in Nigeria's predominantly-Muslim north could trigger reprisal attacks in the south may have started to materialise, after the northern Hausa quarters in Sapele, southern Delta state, was attacked on Friday, leaving 50 injured. The Vanguard newspaper reported on Saturday that 200 angry youths, armed with axes, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons, attacked the quarters housing the Muslim northerners, in an apparent reprisal attack on Christians in the north.

Two mosques were torched during the attack in Sapele, which came on the same day that at least 12 southerners were attacked in Mubi, in northern Adamawa state, and six members of the Deeper Life Church were gunned down in nearby Gombe, Gombe state.

The Islamic sect Boko Haram, which had issued an ultimatum to southerners in the north to leave, is believed to be behind the attacks.

In Mubi, the local media reported that the southerners were killed as they gathered to mourn some of their members who were also killed the previous day.

Gunmen riding on motorcycles opened fired on the mourners, leaving 12 dead, according to the police. But the local media said the number of those killed could be as high as 20.

In Gombe, the wife of the Deeper Life Church Pastor is reported to be among those killed.

Governor Ibrahaim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe has expressed shock over the mayhem unleashed on the Deeper Life Church and directed security agents to fish out the perpetrators.

The latest killings happened despite the state of emergency imposed on parts of the north by President Goodluck Jonathan, following the killing of 49 people, 44 of them in a Catholic Church in Madalla near the capital city of Abuja, in Christmas day attacks by Boko Haram.

Angered by the killings, the umbrella Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has asked its members to take all necessary measures in self defence, raising fears of reprisals and nation-wide sectarian violence.

Pana 07/01/2012