At least 200 people have been killed in two days of religious clashes in Nigeria triggered by protests against US air strikes in Afghanistan, residents said today.
The killings happened in the northern Nigerian city of Kano, it was reported.
Thousands of people fleeing to safe havens in military barracks reported an orgy of killings overnight by gangs of militants. One of the worst hit areas was Zangon district on the city's outskirts, a Muslim stronghold with a significant Christian minority. Those fleeing were Christians.
"People were slaughtered in Zangon. There cannot be less than 200 killed last night", said one of many residents ferried in buses under military escort to Sabon Gari where most non-Muslim immigrants live.
The federal government of President Olusegun Obasanjo poured in reinforcements of soldiers and police from neighbouring states who fanned out across the city, where authorities decreed a night curfew on yesterday.