Cartoon riots spark curfew
2006-02-19 17:46
Kano - Troops enforced a curfew in parts of northern Nigeria on Sunday after protests about cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad triggered riots in two cities that left 16 people dead and 11 churches burned.
In recent weeks, Muslims around the world have been protesting against the publication in several European newspapers of caricatures of the prophet, but Nigeria's unrest was the bloodiest and most-sectarian yet seen.
In the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, Muslims turned on the local Christian minority after police broke up a rally against the drawings.
Haz Iwendi of the police said shops were burnt as well as churches, and 15 people were killed.
At the same time, in the city of Katsina, police opened fire into a crowd of stone-throwers, killing one and injuring others, he said.
Churches were also burned in Katsina, he added, but could not say how many.
Police, military on the streets
In total, 220 arrests were made in the two incidents, and troops and police reinforcements have been drafted in to enforce a curfew, he added.
"Police and military personnel are on the streets in joint patrols to ensure that there's no repeat of the unrest," said local reporter Abdullahi Bego.
"It's Sunday, and Christians are going to church, and so there is fear that someone might try to foment trouble," he added.
The secretary general of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, the main umbrella body for Muslim associations, condemned the rioters.
"It is un-Islamic to take innocent lives and destroy property. Non-Muslims in Nigeria have nothing to do with this publication," said Lateef Adegbite.
"We appeal to Christians for calm and not to retaliate on this unfortunate incident.
"situation is regrettable'<>
"Regard it as a misguided adventure by Muslims who have acted against the tenets of Islam."
"The situation out there is regrettable," said information minister Frank Nweke said late on Saturday in Abuja after a meeting with Obasanjo.
"We are pleased the security agencies have since moved into action and the situation is under control.
"We appeal to all Nigerians, irrespective of their faith, to continue to follow the path of peace," he added.