The Red Cross says that of the 39 killed Dec. 28 in a clash between government forces and the Yan Kala-Kato Islamic sect in the Nigerian state of Bauchi, some 60% were students aged between nine and 15. Sect leader Malam Badamasi was reportedly among those killed by a joint army and police squad at Zango. Fighting broke out at Zango, on the outskirts of Bauchi city, after a sermon delivered by the sect's leader created a disturbance. Preachers reportedly threatened those who refused to convert to their brand of Islam with being expelled from the area. (BBC News, IPS, Dec. 29)

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