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