A review of 101 homicide cases in Jos, Nigeria.

A five-year retrospective analysis of 101 homicide cases in Jos, Nigeria was carried out between 1995 and 1999. Of the total number, 47 were killed with sharp cutting or piercing instruments, 28 with firearms and 21 died from physical assaults. Five of the victims sustained fatal burn injuries. Majority of the cases (62.4%) were aged between 21 and 40 years and males outnumbered females by a ratio of 7.4:1. It is concluded that although a significant proportion of homicides are not premeditated, communal violence and robbery attacks remain the most frequent precipitating events that result in homicide in this environment.