The AAP and the BBC are reporting at least 10 people were killed in the protests which were provoked by the cartoon depiction of the Prophet Mohammed on the cover of Charlie Hebdo.

Niger’s population is 99% Muslim, although it is a secular country, and a former French colony.

World Watch Monitor says the violence began after Friday lunchtime prayers when hundreds of Muslims marched into the city of Zinder, shouting ’’Allah Akbar’’ — God is great — before heading to the capital.

Official police reports say the protests also saw a Christian school and orphanage set alight. French-linked businesses and buildings were also targeted.

The government has declared three days of mourning for those who died.

Some officials are drawing links between those who took part in the weekend’s protest and Boko Haram, the Islamist group based in neighbouring Nigeria.

Boko Haram is reported to have killed up to 2,000 civilians in a massacre in the town of Baga, Nigeria earlier this month.

The BBC is reporting that some officials believe some of those involved in the Niger torchings were seen with a Boko Haram flag.

Niger’s president, Mahamoud Issoufou was criticised by protestors over his decision to attend the Paris unity march in solidarity with Charlie Hebdo, along with several other world leaders.

Image credit: Church in Niger, via Flickr user Joris-Jan van den Boom