Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAGOS286
2006-02-24 17:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Lagos
Cable title:
ONITSHA RIOTS UPDATE:POLICE KEPT ON ALERT
how-toVZCZCXRO8267 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHOS #0286 0551725 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 241725Z FEB 06 FM AMCONSUL LAGOS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6661 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA PRIORITY 6952
UNCLAS LAGOS 000286
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W
STATE FOR INR/AA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV NI
SUBJECT: ONITSHA RIOTS UPDATE:POLICE KEPT ON ALERT
REF: LAGOS 278
UNCLAS LAGOS 000286
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W
STATE FOR INR/AA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV NI
SUBJECT: ONITSHA RIOTS UPDATE:POLICE KEPT ON ALERT
REF: LAGOS 278
1. (SBU) Violence in Onitsha, Nnewi and other cities in
Anambra State has subsided following the February 21-22
riots. But police in Anambra and several other southeastern
states remain on high alert. Anambra State government media
spokesman said he expected police to remain deployed in
various cities and a curfew imposed for at least one week
until tensions died down.
2. (SBU) Anambra State Governor Chris Ngige's Special Media
Assistant Fred Chukwuemobe has told us that five official
teams were sent to Onitsha, Nnewi and other Anambra cities to
speak to Muslim communities there and ease tensions.
3. (SBU) Chukwuemobe said Governor Ngige is visiting Onitsha
today to speak to Muslim community leaders and provide naira
2.5 million (USD 19,231) to assist victims of the riots.
According to Chukwuemobe, at least two mosques were attacked
during the February 21-22 riots. Anambra State has
temporarily closed all public primary schools for one week,
he said.
4. (SBU) Nigerian Red Cross Director Abiodun Orebiyi said Red
Cross volunteers in Onitsha and other Anambra cities report
violence has subsided. However, he said skirmishes occurred
February 22 in Enugu, Enugu State, in which at least 7
Muslims were killed and 92 injured.
5. (SBU) Red Cross Disaster Management Officer Adeyemo
Andronitus reported Muslim attacks on Christians in
Kontagora, Niger State. No killings have been reported, but
Red Cross volunteers said Christians took refuge at an army
barracks in the suburbs of Kontagora.
BROWNE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W
STATE FOR INR/AA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV NI
SUBJECT: ONITSHA RIOTS UPDATE:POLICE KEPT ON ALERT
REF: LAGOS 278
1. (SBU) Violence in Onitsha, Nnewi and other cities in
Anambra State has subsided following the February 21-22
riots. But police in Anambra and several other southeastern
states remain on high alert. Anambra State government media
spokesman said he expected police to remain deployed in
various cities and a curfew imposed for at least one week
until tensions died down.
2. (SBU) Anambra State Governor Chris Ngige's Special Media
Assistant Fred Chukwuemobe has told us that five official
teams were sent to Onitsha, Nnewi and other Anambra cities to
speak to Muslim communities there and ease tensions.
3. (SBU) Chukwuemobe said Governor Ngige is visiting Onitsha
today to speak to Muslim community leaders and provide naira
2.5 million (USD 19,231) to assist victims of the riots.
According to Chukwuemobe, at least two mosques were attacked
during the February 21-22 riots. Anambra State has
temporarily closed all public primary schools for one week,
he said.
4. (SBU) Nigerian Red Cross Director Abiodun Orebiyi said Red
Cross volunteers in Onitsha and other Anambra cities report
violence has subsided. However, he said skirmishes occurred
February 22 in Enugu, Enugu State, in which at least 7
Muslims were killed and 92 injured.
5. (SBU) Red Cross Disaster Management Officer Adeyemo
Andronitus reported Muslim attacks on Christians in
Kontagora, Niger State. No killings have been reported, but
Red Cross volunteers said Christians took refuge at an army
barracks in the suburbs of Kontagora.
BROWNE