ReliefWeb

Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) - Authorities in Nigeria's northern state of Niger have imposed a night curfew on the troubled Suleja emirate, which Saturday joined the growing list of flash-points in the country wracked by weeks of bloody religious and ethnic riots.
According to reports reaching Lagos Sunday, at least three people are feared dead while several houses, including the palace of the embattled emir of Suleja, Awwal Ibrahim, have been burnt by angry youths, said to be protesting Ibrahim's reinstatement.

The emir has reportedly fled the troubled town.

Ibrahim, a former governor of Niger state, was first appointed emir of Suleja in 1992 by the then state government, but that decision was rescinded after violent protests from his opponents.

A 1996 court ruling in his favour did not stop the government from installing his rival as emir.

Ibrahim's reinstatement in February was said to have triggered the latest crisis, with the same opponents calling for his immediate removal.

Suleja, reported tense Sunday amid tight security, is near the Niger state capital, Minna, home of Nigeria's two former military rulers, Gens. Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar.

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