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 today, officials and residents said.
Army tanks patrolled the streets of the largest city 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.
As law and order broke down in the sprawling city, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso went on state radio to announce a dusk to dawn curfew and appeal for calm.
Police earlier banned all vehicles from the streets on the second day of protests against US military action against the Afghanistan's ruling Taliban for refusing to hand over Saudi-born fugitive Osama bin Laden.
AFP