Anti-US protests in Nigeria turn violent, 16 killed

Author: Emeka Madu
Publication: The Economic Times
Date: October 14, 2001

Nigerian authorities clamped a night curfew on the northern city of Kano and issued a 'shoot on sight' order after at least 16 people were killed in anti-American riots on Saturday, officials and residents said. Army tanks crisscrossed the streets of the largest dry in mainly Muslim northern Nigeria to quell some of the most violent anti-American protests in Africa since US air strikes on Afghanistan began last Sunday. Although the violence was linked to the bombardment of Afghanistan, it followed a familiar pattern of deadly religious clashes that have rocked Nigeria over the past two years, killing thousands. 'There is rampant shooting in the streets,' said resident Jibrin Idris, who said he was trapped in a building with scores of people in the commercial district. 'Churches, mosques and shops are on fire. There is smoke everywhere,' he said by telephone.

Protesters brandishing posters of Osama bin Laden burned American flags and effigies of US president George W Bush and Nigerian foreign minister Sule Lamido, who has backed the US attacks. - Reuters
 

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