VIOLENT CLASHES IN ENUGU, KONTAGORA, AND MINA

UNCLAS LAGOS 000289 SIPDIS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - HANDLE ACCORDINGLY STATE FOR AF/W STATE FOR INR/AA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL NI SUBJECT: VIOLENT CLASHES IN ENUGU, KONTAGORA, AND MINA REF: LAGOS 286 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (SBU) In continuing sectarian violence in the south of Nigeria, Nigerian Red Cross Disaster Management Officer Adeyemo Andronitus told us his volunteers reported two Hausa Muslims killed and several injured in Abakpa settlement in Enugu, Enugu State at 7:30 am February 25. Muslim traders in low-income, predominately Igbo housing settlement of Abakpa were attacked. ¶2. (SBU) In Kontagora, Niger State, Red Cross confirmed nine people dead, several injured, and four churches attacked on February 23. The volunteers said several Igbo homes were destroyed. Media sources said large Igbo communities remain in refuge in army barracks in Kontagora. ¶3. (SBU) Niger Governor Kure's Special Media Assistant Fule Maimalari told us that eight people presumed as Christians were killed in Mina, Niger state, between approximately 10am-11am on February 24. They were attacked by Muslims, he said. He told us there have been no new reports of violence, but that tensions remain high. ¶4. (SBU) Anambra Governor Ngige's Special Media Assistant Fred Chukwuemobe has told us that there have been no new reports of violence in Onitsha, Nnewi and other Anambra cities. BROWNE