Nigeria cartoon protests kill 16

Sixteen people have been killed in northern Nigeria during protests by Muslims over the cartoons satirising the Prophet Muhammad.

Most of the deaths occurred in rioting in Maiduguri, capital of north-eastern Borno state. One person died in similar riots in north-central Katsina state.

Witnesses said most of the dead were from Maiduguri's minority Christians. The rest



Cartoon Protestors Burn 15 Churches in Deadly Nigeria Muslim-Christian Clash
Sunday, Feb. 19, 2006
Posted: 10:26:48AM EST

Nigerian Muslims angry over the caricatures of the Muslim prophet Muhammad attacked Christians and burned churches during a protest on Saturday, killing at least 15 people in the deadliest confrontation yet over the drawings.

Mobs of Muslim protesters flooded the northeast city of Maiduguri with machetes, sticks and iron rods, reported an Associated Press journalist that witnessed the event. One group threw a tire around a man, poured gasoline on him and set him on fire. Reports indicated that within three hours, thousands of rioters burned 15 churches in Maiduguri before security forces were able to restore order. Story