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24-hour curfew imposed in Nigerian state

ABUJA, Nigeria, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Violence that has killed more than 30 Christians in three days prompted a 24-hour curfew in the northeastern Nigerian state of Adamawa, officials said Saturday.

Tomborokai Gajere, chaplain to the Adamawa state government, said officials imposed the curfew amid fears of reprisal attacks by Christian youths.

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The militant Islamist group Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for attacks that killed at least 25 people in violence targeting Christians after it had issued an ultimatum giving Christians three days to leave the area.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan had declared a partial state of emergency in four northern states, giving police broad powers to arrest people suspected of having ties to Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is forbidden."

The Islamist group, which wants Shariah law imposed throughout the country, has mounted attacks almost daily since Christmas Day violence killed dozens of people at churches.

At least 15 people were killed Friday when gunmen opened fire on people mourning the deaths of two slain businessmen, said the Rev. Paul Alhamdu, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria.

Later Friday, the BBC said there were reports eight people had been killed in another attack on a church in Yola.

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At least eight people were killed Thursday in a church shooting in Gombe in northeastern Nigeria, the pastor said.

The BBC said Boko Haram has killed more than 500 people in the past year.

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