US embassy cable - 01ABUJA2255

UNCLAS ABUJA 002255 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PINS, CVIS, NI 
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: RIOTS IN JOS 
 
 
 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY 
 
 
1. (U) SUMMARY: Riots broke out in central Jos afternoon of 
September 7.  Deputy Governor Botmang imposed an 1800 to 0600 
curfew, made a statewide broadcast calling for calm, and 
authorized the police to shoot looters and trouble-makers on 
sight.  Botmang received permission from President Obasanjo 
to call out the Army to back the police.  By nightfall, 
Police sources were reporting that the incident was 
contained.  END SUMMARY. 
 
 
2. (SBU) PolOff 7 September (1800 local) received a call from 
Terry Hammack, a missionary with the Society of International 
Missionaries in Jos, Plateau State.  According to Hammack, 
riots began during the afternoon in the Nassarawa district 
and the area near the Jos Central Mosque.  He did not know 
the immediate cause but speculated that rumors of people 
putting "curses" on others may have created tensions. 
Reportedly, a man putting "curses" on people was caught by a 
crowd on 6 September, and stated that he was "hired by 
Alhajis" (Muslims) to curse people.  Hammack commented that 
local politics might have also played a role. 
 
 
3. (U) The caller stated that he had traveled just outside of 
the riot area on his motorcycle, seen fires and heard rumors 
that some churches had been burned.  He noted that most of 
the car dealerships lots had been emptied quickly during the 
afternoon and taxis were off the roads -- people were walking 
to their homes.  In the Government Reserved Area (GRA) where 
the caller lives, he stated that "you wouldn't know it was 
going on."  Further, he believed the roads out of Jos to the 
north and south were still open.  He said he had seen 
military vehicles and heard sirens heading into the city. 
Embassy cannot confirm that any religious structures were 
burned. 
 
 
4. (SBU) CDA Andrews spoke at 1725 GMT with Plateau State 
Deputy Governor Chief Michael Botmang (Governor Dariye is on 
leave).  Botmang stated that the riot had started on Bauchi 
Road and spread.  Some people had been beaten by crowds and 
some houses had been burned.  Botmang had made a broadcast 
asking people to remain calm.  He told the CDA that he had 
authorized the police to shoot looters and other 
trouble-makers on sight.  Moreover, he had asked President 
Obasanjo to authorize the use of the Army to back the police, 
and had received permission.  The General Officer Commanding, 
3rd Armored Division was responding.  Botmang had also 
imposed an 1800 to 0600 curfew, and said he would travel in 
the city on 8 September to view the situation and gather more 
details.  He assured CDA that the rioting would be contained 
and that American lives and property would be safely guarded. 
 
 
5. (SBU) RSO spoke with Olayinka Balogun, Personal Staff 
Officer to the Inspector General of Police.  Balogun stated 
that he had spoken to the Commissioner of Police of Plateau 
State, M.D. Abubakar.  According to Abubakar's report, 
rioting had started during Friday prayers at the Central 
Mosque.  The Mosque was filled beyond capacity with 
worshippers, so some worshippers carried their prayer rugs 
into the street to pray.  One motorist, unhappy with the 
detour, returned to the scene with several other individuals, 
and a conflict ensued.  Balogun stated that the problems were 
isolated (to the Mosque area), and that the Police had the 
situation under control. (COMMENT: Balogun was unspecific 
when asked what "under control" meant.  END COMMENT). 
Embassy was unable to contact Commissioner M.D. Abubakar 
directly. 
 
 
6. (SBU) Duty Officer spoke with Charles Abe, Manager at the 
Hilltop Hotel in Jos at 1830 GMT.  Abe said there was a lot 
of confusion, but that the police were trying to get the 
situation under control.  He reported that no Americans were 
staying at the Hilltop.  At 1835 GMT, Duty Officer spoke with 
the Duty Manager at the Hill Station Hotel, Fomm Yakub. 
Yakub said there were police guarding the Hill Station Hotel, 
and the uprising had not reached his location. 
 
 
7. (U) An official American couple that was planning to 
travel to Jos on September 8 has been advised to defer the 
trip. 
 
 
8. (U) Post intends to activate the warden system and deliver 
the following message: "The Embassy has received reports of 
disturbances in Jos, and we understand a curfew has been 
declared by the Deputy Governor of Plateau State between 1800 
and 0600.  All American citizens are urged to exercise 
caution until the situation has been resolved." 
Andrews