Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABUJA1057
2007-05-25 13:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
IMAM ATTACKED BY WORSHIPPERS AT KADUNA MOSQUE
how-toVZCZCXRO6829 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #1057 1451343 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 251343Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9645 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 0347 RUEHCD/AMCONSUL CIUDAD JUAREZ 0346 RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 6956 RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001057
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/24/2017
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KISL NI ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: IMAM ATTACKED BY WORSHIPPERS AT KADUNA MOSQUE
Classified By: Political Counselor Russell J. Hanks for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001057
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/24/2017
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KISL NI ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: IMAM ATTACKED BY WORSHIPPERS AT KADUNA MOSQUE
Classified By: Political Counselor Russell J. Hanks for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
1. (U) BBC radio reported that the Imam at the Suleiman
Bello Mosque in Kaduna, one of the city's prominent mosques,
was attacked and beaten by worshippers at the Friday prayers
on May 18.
2. (C) A contact from Kaduna who was at the mosque
described the incident to PolCouns as politically motivated.
He claimed that during the Friday service, the Imam had made
repeated comments about the "need for Nigeria to move ahead"
after the recent contentious elections. As the Imam made his
comments, the contact said, the gathered worshippers
continuously hissed at the Imam and expressed their
displeasure over the message. The incident came to a head at
the end of the sermon when the Imam called on the group to
"pray for Yar'adua and his incoming government." According
to the contact as many as 200 worshippers, primarily middle
age and older, began "thrashing" the Imam. Some in the
congregation intervened and the Imam was taken to a hospital
for treatment.
3. (C) COMMENT: While the streets of Nigeria appear quiet
and there are few outward signs of tension resulting from the
April events, sporadic incidents such as this one continue
throughout the country. With political watchers on edge over
the launching of elections tribunals and the upcoming
swearing-in ceremony in Abuja, spontaneous actions can be
expected to continue over the next several weeks.
CAMPBELL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/24/2017
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KISL NI ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: IMAM ATTACKED BY WORSHIPPERS AT KADUNA MOSQUE
Classified By: Political Counselor Russell J. Hanks for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
1. (U) BBC radio reported that the Imam at the Suleiman
Bello Mosque in Kaduna, one of the city's prominent mosques,
was attacked and beaten by worshippers at the Friday prayers
on May 18.
2. (C) A contact from Kaduna who was at the mosque
described the incident to PolCouns as politically motivated.
He claimed that during the Friday service, the Imam had made
repeated comments about the "need for Nigeria to move ahead"
after the recent contentious elections. As the Imam made his
comments, the contact said, the gathered worshippers
continuously hissed at the Imam and expressed their
displeasure over the message. The incident came to a head at
the end of the sermon when the Imam called on the group to
"pray for Yar'adua and his incoming government." According
to the contact as many as 200 worshippers, primarily middle
age and older, began "thrashing" the Imam. Some in the
congregation intervened and the Imam was taken to a hospital
for treatment.
3. (C) COMMENT: While the streets of Nigeria appear quiet
and there are few outward signs of tension resulting from the
April events, sporadic incidents such as this one continue
throughout the country. With political watchers on edge over
the launching of elections tribunals and the upcoming
swearing-in ceremony in Abuja, spontaneous actions can be
expected to continue over the next several weeks.
CAMPBELL