Five killed in second day of Charlie Hebdo protests in Niger

NIAMEY: At least five people were killed on Saturday in protests in Niger against Charlie Hebdo´s blasphemous caricatures, authorities said, bringing the death toll from two days of violence in the country to 10.

Police fired tear gas at crowds of stone-throwing youths who set fire to churches and looted shops in the capital Niamey after authorities banned a meeting called by local leaders.

A police station was attacked and at least two police cars burned.

President Mahamadou Issoufou said all five of the dead were civilians, with four of them killed inside burned churches or bars. He said an enquiry would be opened and those responsible for organising the violence would be punished. (Reuters)