Violent weekend in Nigeria leaves 13 dead

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LAGOS, Nigeria, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Witnesses say a deadly riot in Nigeria appeared to have started with an argument on a soccer field.

Leadership Newspapers said Sunday the argument resulted Saturday in the slaying of one of the youths on the field, and the violence quickly snowballed.

By the end of the day, five people in the town of Wukari had been killed and hundreds of homes and businesses were in ruins.

Witnesses said a high volume of gunfire sent residents running for cover in the forest or hitting the road for neighboring communities in Taraba State.

The Nigerian Police said it sent reinforcements to Wukari to restore order.

Meanwhile, police said they were were summoned to a home in Kaduna State Saturday night after unknown gunmen raided a wake for an elderly resident of Gida Village. Eight mourners were shot to death and villagers were on high alert Sunday for potential reprisal attacks, Leadership said.