Security forces in Niger used tear gas yesterday to disperse hundreds of opposition supporters taking part in a banned demonstration in the capital Niamey.

The political altercation followed the deaths of 10 people during two days of violent protests against French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo’s depiction of the prophet Mohammad.

The authorities banned yesterday’s protest, which had been organised prior to the Charlie Hebdo controversy, because of the tense situation following the deaths.

President Mahamadou Issoufou said that five people had been killed in Niamey on Saturday when Christian churches and bars were set ablaze.

At least five other people were killed in the town of Zinder on Friday when protests erupted after Muslim prayer services there.

Opposition organisers cited general grievances with the government as the motivation for their planned protest, including the controversial purchase of a presidential plane last year.