TFUS01: END OF DAY FOUR SITREP (NIGERIA)

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