Nigerian troops' anger boils over

So far 7,000 have been registered as displaced

Hundreds of Nigerian soldiers whose homes were destroyed in Sunday's munitions dump blast in Lagos have vented their anger on the country's vice-president.

Atiku Abubakar was forced to abandon an attempt to address the soldiers after they jeered him and pelted his car with water bottles.

Bodies are still being pulled from the canals

The soldiers complained that no efforts had yet been made to clear up the unexploded bombs and some alleged that relief had gone only to officers.

More than 600 people were killed after huge quantities of ammunition were accidentally ignited at an army barracks, but the government has said that no-one died inside the barracks.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Red Cross is trying to find more than 500 people still missing four days after the blast. Most of the missing are aged between four and 11 years.

Click here for a map of the area

But Red Cross spokesman Patrick Bawa denied reports that children were being held against their will by the police or other individuals.

Both houses of the Nigerian parliament have set up independent inquiries into the disaster, and the army has been ordered to conduct its own investigation.

Water and sand

Vice-President Abubakar visited the northern Ikeja military base to inspect damage caused by the explosions.

But he had to turn back after protesters attacked his car with a barrage of water bottles.

I have been unable to eat since Sunday and I am breastfeeding a baby, I can only say thank God that my sons are still alive

Anxious mother

Others threw handfuls of sand at base commander Brigadier General George Emdin.

Protesters complained that they had not been properly fed or clothed, and had only received bread and water.

The Red Cross has set up two camps to register displaced people and to provide food, water, clothing and comfort.

As of Thursday, some 7,000 people have been registered as displaced or homeless.

Extra volunteers have also been taken on to help with counselling and psychological support for victims.

More than 500 people are still missing

Lagos State Police Commissioner Mike Okiro told Reuters news agency that almost all the children who had found refuge in police stations had been reclaimed.

Rose Sharon Rhahor was among those who found relief, when her sons Khaleb, 10, and David, 6, returned home.

"I have been unable to eat since Sunday and I am breastfeeding a baby," she said. "I can only say thank God that they are still alive."

Several more bodies were pulled from the canals on Thursday and the search was continuing, Mr Okiro said.

Claims

Nigerian insurance companies met on Thursday to consider how to cover the cost of the massive destruction to homes, offices and factories.

Several manufacturers have reportedly been warned by insurance companies that they would not be covered because destruction of property by military munitions would be considered an "act of war".

This would apply even if war had not been declared.

But in a statement, the Nigerian Insurers Association dismissed those fears, saying insurers would settle all credible claims.

The vast majority of ordinary Nigerians, however, do not have insurance, and questions are being asked as to how or whether the government will compensate them.

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