Obasanjo expected in Kano to assess effect of riots

Nigeria’s President Olusegun Obasanjo was expected in the northern city of Kano on Tuesday to assess the impact of anti-U.S. protests that degenerated into two days of intense clashes between Muslims and Christians, leaving scores of people dead. Obasanjo was scheduled to arrive in Kano direct from France, where he attended a conference of the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation over the weekend in Paris. Thousands of Muslims poured onto the streets of Kano after prayers last Friday to protest U.S. air raids on Afghanistan. But the protest march soon resulted in widespread violence involving Muslims, who form the majority in Kano, and the Christian minority, with cars, houses, mosques and churches burnt and many people killed. The police on Tuesday said a total of 18 people were killed, while residents and humanitarian organisations gave figures of between 100 and 200. A statement by the Nigerian Red Cross said "it was safe and reliable to quote a figure of over 100" dead in three days of fighting beginning on Friday. Police spokesman, Haz Iwendi, said police formations nationwide had been put on alert to prevent further outbreaks of violence, especially likely reprisal attacks against Muslims in the mainly Christian south of the country. Investigations had also begun to identify those responsible for the riots. "The police will fish out those found responsible for the killings and destruction of lives and property of innocent citizens in Kano," he said. Tension was still high in the city on Tuesday, with the police firing teargas and warning shots to disperse crowds of youths. A dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on Saturday remains in force.