US embassy cable - 05LAGOS1857

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 001857 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/W 
STATE FOR INR/AA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, NI 
SUBJECT: YOUTHS KILLED DURING MASSOB DEMONSTRATIONS 
 
REF: A) LAGOS 1753 B) LAGOS 1573 C) LAGOS 1401 
 
Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for reasons 1.4 (b) and ( 
d). 
 
1.  (SBU)  Summary.  On Tuesday, December 5, an estimated 
eleven people, allegedly members of the Movement for the 
Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), were 
apparently killed in a clash with police and soldiers during 
demonstrations in Anambra and Imo States.  While the police 
and MASSOB predictably have conflicting versions of the 
incident, human rights activists in both locations state 
overzealous police fired on non-violent protesters.  In the 
aftermath of the arrest of MASSOB leader Ralph Uwazurike for 
treason, the police appear to be progressively more 
heavy-handed in their approach to squelch MASSOB activities. 
The demonstrations were in protest of Uwazurike's protracted 
detention.  End summary. 
 
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MASSOB Conducts a Two-Day Sit-At-Home Strike 
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2.  (U)  MASSOB ordered its members throughout Igbo 
southeastern Nigeria to stay at home to protest the arrest of 
MASSOB chief Ralph Uwazurike.  Uwazurike's trial, originally 
set to begin this month, was postponed to January because of 
the absence of the judge.  Some local and state governments 
issued directives to businesses to open during the strikes 
with several conflicts resulting.  In Ebonyi State, traders 
at the Abakpa main market in Abakaliki attempted to open, but 
were forced to do otherwise by aggressive MASSOB members.  In 
Imo State, the sit-at-home strike was successful, and most 
businesses remained shut.  In Abia, the populace generally 
supported MASSOB.  Governor Kalu, who pictures himself as the 
champion of Igbo mainstream politics, stated that he refused 
to instruct people to disobey MASSOB lest a multitude of 
MASSOB sympathizers approach his gubernatorial mansion. 
Police in other southeastern states claimed that MASSOB 
routinely threatened merchants who did not want to strike and 
that their reaction was necessary to establish order. 
 
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Police Kill an Estimated 11 Protestors 
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3.  (U)  On December 5 in Onitsha, Anambra State, a group of 
police and soldiers shot at youths lighting roadside fires 
and chanting MASSOB slogans  (Note.  Media report that 
members of the State Security Service (SSS) were also 
involved.  End Note).  Police claimed the youths were 
attempting to take over a radio station; human rights 
activists and other observers disagreed.  In the melee, three 
people were killed.  Activists reported a 
counter-demonstration chanting "No MASSOB" in the same area. 
Onitsha police claim MASSOB activists killed a female vendor 
who disobeyed the MASSOB strike order.  MASSOB information 
sources deny the allegation.  Police sources confirmed that 
over 40 protestors had been jailed. 
 
4.  (U) Similar events took place in Uwazurike's home state 
of Imo.  Police there fired bullets and teargas cannisters 
into a crowd who were lighting fires and chanting.  At least 
seven were reported dead in the skirmish, although police 
sources would not corroborate the number.  As of December 7, 
both Imo and Anambra States were quiet and peaceful. 
 
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Comment 
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5.  (C)  Clearly, Uwazurike's detention sparked these 
protests.  What is more worrisome for the Nigerian 
government, is that there was a significant amount of 
frustration and anger among many Igbos for MASSOB to spark. 
Most of the support given to the stay-at-home was real and 
widespread, albeit some of it was coerced.  This is another 
indication that many people in the Southeast are disenchanted 
with the federal government and disillusioned as well by 
their state governments.  End Comment. 
BROWNE