Muslim-Christian riots in Nigeria

LAGOS, Nigeria -- Bands of Muslims and Christians rioted Saturday in the streets of the northern city of Kano, burning places of worship and killing an unknown number of people, witnesses and journalists said.

The spark behind the latest outbreak of interreligious violence in northern Nigeria was not immediately clear. The rioting came a day after Muslim fundamentalists clashed with police during a street protest against U.S.-led airstrikes.

By late Saturday morning, witnesses counted at least eight bodies on the streets of Sabon Gari, a neighborhood in the northern part of the city, some 435 miles northeast of the commercial capital, Lagos. There were unconfirmed reports of many more dead.

Some residents were taking shelter in police stations while many others were holed up inside their homes. Local journalists said angry mobs had at least partially burned several churches and mosques.