Israel visit sparks riot in Nigeria

By Barnaby Phillips in Lagos

The Nigerian police say that about 50 people arrested following weekend rioting in the northern State of Gombe will be charged in court during the next few days.

Government officials say that four people died in the riots after an Islamic group tried to organize a protest against a visit to the State by the Israeli ambassador.

Israeli diplomatic sources said they were surprised to learn about the riot, which broke out soon after the ambassador left the State of Gombe, which has a substantial Muslim population.

The sources said the ambassador's visit had passed off amicably.

Riots

Police blame the disturbances on Shi'a Muslims, who rioted after they were refused permission to hold a demonstration against the Israeli presence.

Two churches were burnt down and a senior police official in Gombe told the BBC that six of his men were injured as well as some of the rioters.

He said calm had now been restored.

There have been sporadic outbreaks of religious violence in northern Nigeria for many years, but tension has increased over the past 12 months with the rapid spread of Sharia, or Islamic law.