US embassy cable - 01ABUJA2290

UNCLAS ABUJA 002290 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, MOPS, CASC, KIRF, PHUM, NI 
SUBJECT: VIOLENCE IN JOS RE-IGNITES, NIGERIA CALM ELSEWHERE 
 
 
REF: (A) ABUJA 2255 (B) ABUJA 2258 
 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED--PROTECT ACCORDINGLY 
 
 
1.  The violence in Jos, Plateau State, re-ignited September 
12 after a lull of several days.  As of mid-afternoon, 
gunfire had subsided and citizens were obeying a 4:00 p.m. 
curfew.  Information obtained by Post regarding the causes of 
the flare-up varied dramatically, but it appears that there 
was a disturbance near the market this morning that sparked a 
conflict between the military and civilians.  Whatever the 
cause, it is clear that the military reponded with a strong 
showing of force to today's outbreak, which reportedly was 
centered in the predominantly Muslim Gangare/Bauchi Road 
neighborhoods on the north side of Jos.  The Permanent 
Secretary for State Security, Robert Taple, reported that the 
 
SIPDIS 
Kaduna and Abuja roads leading out of Jos were clear, and 
claimed that the city was calm outside of the area where the 
disturbances were concentrated. 
 
 
2.  Post was in contact with Amcit wardens in Jos throughout 
the day, but no Amcits have requested evacuation at this 
time.  Both the gunfire, and the sight of large mobs fleeing 
from the area of conflict was unsettling to many, who 
remained in their homes throughout the day.  While staying 
put appears for now to be the safest tack for the substantial 
Amcit community in Jos, Post has made contingency 
preparations to evacuate in case it becomes necessary.  Shops 
began to open today for the first time since the violence 
began last week, and now the market is again closed.  If the 
violence persists, some citizens may begin to suffer from a 
shortage of foodstuffs. 
 
 
3.  There have been no detectable "ripple effects" from the 
Jos violence, in Kano or elsewhere.  The Maiduguri Road 
Apostalic Church in Kano was burned on Monday, but all 
reports have indicated that this was the result of an ongoing 
conflict with a mosque that is adjacent to the church.  The 
Deputy Commissioner of Police of Kano State, Ernest Ibaze, 
reported that the police have four files recording the 
various disputes between the members of this particular 
church and mosque.  Ibaze said Monday's dispute arose from 
the use of loadspeakers--which both congregations used to 
drown the other out--and denied there was any connection 
between the church burning in Kano and the violence in Jos. 
There are no reports of disturbances outside of Plateau state 
for now.  Post continues to monitor this situation closely. 
 
 
Andrews