The European Commission (EC) has expressed concerns over the violence that erupted after the local government elections in Jos in central Nigeria, reported the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday.

The commission's reaction was contained in a statement issued by its Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel,on Monday in Abuja.

The EC in the statement said it was deeply saddened that so many people lost their lives while many others were rendered homeless.

It condemned the violence in the strongest terms, and appealed to the Nigerian federal and state governments to investigate and address the root causes of the crisis.

The statement appealed to local and national politicians as well as leaders at all levels to promote peaceful dialogues, understanding and cooperation among their supporters to avoid a recurrence.

It noted with satisfaction that the situation had been brought under control by the federal and state governments, and expressed the hope that suitable measures would be taken to prevent a possible spread of violence to elsewhere in the country.

(Xinhua News Agency December 2, 2008)