Nigerian officials say they have restored order in the central city of Jos, after political fighting there claimed as many as 20 lives. 

Authorities sent riot police and troops to quell the violence, which began Thursday between rival groups at a regional meeting of the ruling People's Democratic Party. Nigerian newspapers say the two groups battling each other were divided along ethnic and religious lines. 

The violence quickly spread to the streets, terrifying people still traumatized by last year's deadly clashes over religious differences. Hundreds were killed in Muslim-Christian violence in Jos last September. 

Political observers have warned of increasing tensions as Nigerians get set for the first elections since the end of military rule in 1999. Local elections will be held this August, and a presidential poll is set for next year. 

In addition to the political tensions, Nigerians have been increasingly divided along religious lines. Religious rioting has claimed thousands of lives in recent years, coinciding with the imposition of Islamic Sharia law in the mainly-Muslim states of the north. 

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