'Many killed in Nigeria post-poll riots'

Tue Apr 19, 2011 5:49PM

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan

The Nigerian Red Cross says post-election violence has claimed many lives in the country hours after Goodluck Jonathan was declared as the winner of the presidential vote.

Umar Abdul Mairiga, the Nigeria Red Cross disaster management coordinator, said on Tuesday that thousands had to leave their homes after rioters went on a rampage in protest at the reelection of President Jonathan.

"Things are relatively calm right now, but violent protests went on last night, especially in Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara (states)," Mairiga said.

"What may come out of there is not very palatable because many people were killed, especially in southern Kaduna."

Mairiga noted that the displaced people are getting hostile because they are not receiving any relief items.

Security forces are on high alert, with thousands of personnel deployed across the country. Supporters of Buhari have clashed with police and military in the states of Kano and Kaduna.

President Jonathan appealed for calm and imposed a 24-hour curfew in the hardest-hit state of Kaduna.

The Electoral Commission has declared Jonathan the winner of Saturday's presidential poll with 57-percent of vote.

JR/PKH/MGH