A Christian family of eight were found hacked to death in Nigeria's restive central Plateau state, with local Muslims youths the main suspects in the case, local media reports.
The father, mother and their three sons and three daughters were found slain by machete just after midnight, police said. Only one child from the family survived, as he was away from home at the time of the murders.
The incident came after more than 40 people were killed last week in several incidents of inter-religious violence.
Christians on Sunday in the city of Jos, the capital of Plateau state, stayed away from churches, amid rumours that Muslim youths were planning attacks, in retaliation for violence against their community during Islamic celebrations last week.
The continuing tensions between the religious groups in recent weeks breaks several months of quiet, which were preceding by deadly clashes earlier this year and in 2010, leaving hundreds dead. Religious and political friction has been growing in and around Jos for over a decade.
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. 