Eight Nigerians dead after protests, residents say

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria (Reuters) - At least eight Nigerians were killed when protests against the razing of their homes turned violent in the oil hub Port Harcourt, residents said on Tuesday, but the police denied any deaths.

Hundreds of residents from the Bundu Ama community took to the streets early on Monday to stop government officials and security forces marking their waterfront homes and businesses for demolishment.

Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has ordered hundreds of buildings to be razed in Bundu Ama and surrounding neighbourhoods in Port Harcourt, saying the shanty towns housed squatters and were a safe-haven for criminals.

"As soon as they arrived (the security forces) started shooting sporadically. Initially, they were shooting into the air but they suddenly turned their guns on the crowd of protesters and everybody started to run," said resident Tamunotonye Amah.

"The shooting continued and I saw one person on the ground holding his chest and bleeding."

But a military spokesman denied anyone was killed, saying soldiers were sent to Bundu Ama only after reports of gunshots in the area. Security forces and gunmen have clashed in Bundu Ama in the past.

Residents and police said there were no reports of violence on Tuesday after a community group obtained a court order to temporarily stop the government razing homes in the area.