US embassy cable - 01ABUJA2302

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002302 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2011 
TAGS: PREL, ASEC, PTER, NI 
SUBJECT: TFUS01: END OF DAY FOUR SITREP (NIGERIA) 
 
 
REF: A. ABUJA 2289 
     B. ABUJA 2292 
 
 
Classified by CDA Andrews for reason 1.5 (d) 
 
 
1.  (U) NIGERIA: Oodua People's Congress (OPC) members rioted 
in Oshodi in Lagos on 14 September, temporarily closing 
routes from the Consulate General to the airport.  EmbOffs, 
accompanied by diplomats from the British High Commission and 
Dutch Embassy, traveled to Jos to meet with fellow citizens 
and investigate the situation there.  They are expected to 
return to Abuja by nightfall (septel will follow).  Embassy 
has heard reports and received calls from some wardens 
alleging that the inter-religious conflict in Jos has spread 
to Abia State, Kano State and Benue State.  However, the 
Warden in Kano City reported that he had seen no evidence of 
fighting in the town.  Some Americans residing in 
predominantly Muslim areas of Nigeria have reported through 
the warden system that they are fearful of public reaction to 
the eventual U.S. military response against terrorists.  The 
Embassy will work with appropriate Nigerian Security Services 
to mitigate the danger to AmCits. 
 
 
2. (C) CONDOLENCE MESSAGES: Mission continued to receive 
numerous messages of condolence from Nigerians in and out of 
Government as well as from many Diplomatic Missions.  CDA 
received Governor Mala Kachallah of Borno State who passed 
his condolences.  Dubem Onyia, Minister of State for Foreign 
Affairs, also visited the Embassy.  Significantly, Onyia 
stated that the Federal Executive Council (FEC - cabinet) 
meeting on Wednesday discussed events in the U.S. at length. 
Echoing National Security Advisor Aliyu Mohammed (Ref A), 
Onyia offered Nigeria's assistance to track down the 
perpetrators of the terror attacks against the U.S.  Onyia 
specifically offered Nigeria's assistance in the West Africa 
sub-region. 
 
 
3. (U) First Lady Stella Obasanjo, along with wives of 
Ministers and Service Chiefs, came to the Embassy on 14 
September to lay a wreath and offer her condolences and those 
of "Nigerian women and children" to the U.S. Government and 
the families of those injured and killed in the attacks. 
After speaking, the First Lady signed the Embassy condolence 
book. 
 
 
4. (U)  Mission will remain at a heightened state of security 
until further notice, but neither post plans closures.  Will 
advise Department if situation changes. 
Andrews