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Troops and riot police are patrolling the Nigerian city of Jos, after fighting between gangs of Muslim and Christian youths in the central city. At least 12 people have reportedly died, but the Plateau State authorities have yet to confirm a figure. Houses, mosques and churches were set alight and a dusk-to-dawn curfew is now in force. The city has a history of ethnic and religious tension at least 200 people were killed in 2008 and 1,000 in 2001. Dan Manjang, special adviser on media to the Plateau State governor, said it was not yet known what sparked the unrest on Sunday. He told the BBC's Network Africa programme there were reports it may have started after a football match. Reuters news agency quotes residents saying the violence started after an argument over the rebuilding of homes destroyed in the 2008 clashes. Correspondents say such clashes in Nigeria are often blamed on sectarianism, however poverty and access to resources such as land often lies at the root of the violence.