VIOLENCE IN JOS RE-IGNITES, NIGERIA CALM ELSEWHERE

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