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Obasanjo visits riot city
Hundreds died in the riots
Nigerian President Olesegun Obasanjo of Nigeria has been visiting the northern city of Kaduna, where more than 200 people died in religious violence last week.
Amid tight security, Mr Obasanjo has seen the scenes of destruction, and was expected to meet leaders of both the Christian and Muslim communities and to appeal for calm and tolerance.
The president has so far failed to make a definitive statement outlining the federal government's position on Sharia, to help avoid another future outbreak of violence.
Amid tight security, Mr Obasanjo has seen the scenes of destruction, and was expected to meet leaders of both the Christian and Muslim communities and to appeal for calm and tolerance.
The president has so far failed to make a definitive statement outlining the federal government's position on Sharia, to help avoid another future outbreak of violence.
 Many are homeless and injured
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In his first detailed comment on the issue on Thursday, President Obasanjo said that punishments such as stoning or the cutting off of hands violated Nigeria's constitution.
Polarisation
Both the pro- and anti-Sharia factions remain polarised in the aftermath of the riots, which broke out during a Christian protest against proposals to extend Islamic Sharia law in the state of Kaduna.
Polarisation
Both the pro- and anti-Sharia factions remain polarised in the aftermath of the riots, which broke out during a Christian protest against proposals to extend Islamic Sharia law in the state of Kaduna.
 Army reinforcements were deployed to restore order
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Vehicles and cars were burnt and bodies left to rot in the street before the military succeeded in restoring order.
In recent days police have arrested people suspected of participating in the violence.
An unconfirmed report in the Nigerian Guardian newspaper says as many as 300 have been detained.
Roman Catholic bishops have warned that Nigeria could be heading towards "national suicide" over the introduction of Sharia law by several northern states, and has called on the government to act quickly to stop it.
In recent days police have arrested people suspected of participating in the violence.
An unconfirmed report in the Nigerian Guardian newspaper says as many as 300 have been detained.
Roman Catholic bishops have warned that Nigeria could be heading towards "national suicide" over the introduction of Sharia law by several northern states, and has called on the government to act quickly to stop it.
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