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