More than 100 die in Miss World riots

The Miss World riots in northern Nigeria have claimed more than 100 lives, the Red Cross said today, as thousands of Muslims sought refuge in army bases and police stations from mobs of revenge seeking Christian youths.

It was the third day of riots triggered by a newspaper article suggesting Islam’s founding prophet would have approved of the Miss World beauty contest being staged in Nigeria next month and would probably have chosen a bride from the entrants.

Sporadic gunshots and shouting could be heard by residents of the northern city of Kaduna who were hiding in fear inside their homes.

Angry mobs have stabbed and set fire to bystanders, while others have burned churches and rampaged through streets.

Plumes of black smoke rose above the city from makeshift barricades lit by angry mobs. Many ignored a 24 hours a day curfew imposed on the city.

In areas dominated by minority Christians, witnesses said mobs of youths smashed windows and set fires in mosques used by the ethnic Hausa and Fulani Muslims who dominate Kaduna, a cosmopolitan city of several million people.

Rioting was also reported in Kabala Costain, one of Kaduna’s many predominantly Muslim neighbourhoods.

Fearful residents of all faiths were rushing into police stations and military facilities for protection.

Street demonstrations began Wednesday with the burning of an office of ThisDay newspaper in Kaduna after it published an article questioning Muslim groups that have condemned the Miss World contest, to be held on December 7 in the capital, Abuja.

Muslim groups say the contest promotes sexual promiscuity and indecency.