Ethnic fighting has erupted in Nigeria's commercial center, Lagos, leaving at least seven people dead.

The clashes broke out Saturday between Nigeria's main tribes, the northern Hausas and the ethnic Yorubas. It is not clear what sparked the fighting. There is a history of violence between the mainly Muslim Hausas and the southern Yorubas, who are Christians and animists.

Police say members of the two groups threw rocks and bottles at each other and set fire to homes and shops. Black smoke was seen rising over the crowded Lagos neighborhoods of Idi Araba and Mushin.

The violence came as police returned to work after an unprecedented one-day strike to demand higher wages.

The country is still reeling from the deaths of at least 1,000 people following last week's explosions at a munitions dump.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Red Cross suspended its work in the city Saturday after the military demanded control over all relief supplies donated to victims of the tragedy.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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