The Nigerian Red Cross says five people died in an attack on a mosque and a school in Benin City in Nigeria's mainly Christian south on Tuesday. Muslim-majority northern Nigeria has seen a spate of attacks on churches in recent weeks.

AP - The Nigerian Red Cross says five people were killed and at least six others wounded in an attack on a mosque and a Quranic school in the country’s southwest amid a nationwide strike over fuel prices.

Spokesman Nwakpa O. Nwakpa said the attack happened Tuesday afternoon in Benin City in Edo state. Police could not be immediately reached for comment.

The violence comes after an angry mob in Benin City attempted to burn down a mosque on Monday, the first day of the strike. Nwakpa said it appeared the attack Tuesday was a reprisal for ongoing violence in Nigeria’s Muslim north.

Gas prices have more than doubled in Nigeria since fuel subsidies ended Jan. 1 at the orders of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

 

Date created : 2012-01-10