Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUJA1053
2009-06-12 13:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:  

NIGERIA: POLICE SHOOT 17 IN MAIDUGURI, TENSIONS

Tags:  KISL PREL PGOV NI 
pdf how-to read a cable
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ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 121313Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6290
INFO RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS PRIORITY 1510
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0378
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 1952
RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 0911
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001053 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA
BAGHDAD FOR DMCCULLOUGH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2019
TAGS: KISL PREL PGOV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: POLICE SHOOT 17 IN MAIDUGURI, TENSIONS
REMAIN HIGH

Classified By: Political Counselor Walter N.S. Pflaumer for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001053

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA
BAGHDAD FOR DMCCULLOUGH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2019
TAGS: KISL PREL PGOV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: POLICE SHOOT 17 IN MAIDUGURI, TENSIONS
REMAIN HIGH

Classified By: Political Counselor Walter N.S. Pflaumer for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)


1. (U) On June 11 police in Maiduguri (located in the
north-eastern state of Borno) shot and wounded 17 people
during a confrontation with members of the Mohammed Yusuf
Islamic Movement (MYIM). According to press reports the
conflict began when a military and police patrol team from
"Operation Flush" (a special anti-robbery security joint task
force in Borno State) stopped two MYIM motorcyclists for
riding recklessly and without helmets. The motorcyclists
were riding in a funeral procession to bury other members of
the sect, who had died in an automobile accident the previous
day. The officers reportedly began to shoot when other
members of MYIM tried to intervene in the motorcyclists'
arrest. Fourteen members of the MYIM and three bystanders
were injured; fifteen of them were admitted to the hospital,
while two were treated and released. There have not so far
been any fatalities.

2. (U) The Islamic group's leader, Mohammed Yusuf, was in
Kaduna at the time of the incident, but MYIM members
reportedly met at their headquarters, the Ibn Taimiyya
Mosque. According to Guardian Newspaper the Muslim cleric's
followers have vowed to fight back. The State has increased
security in Maiduguri due to the elevated tension. However,
several interlocutors said that the city is now calm and they
have not heard of any additional conflicts.

3. (C) Comment: Post will continue to monitor the situation
as there is a risk of additional violence in Maiduguri
following Friday prayers. Additionally, if any of the
wounded MYIM members should die, we believe the risk of
violence would increase significantly, as the sect will
likely retaliate. The fact that an anti-robbery task force
chose to stop motorcyclists during a funeral procession for
traffic violations and riding without helmets is curious, and
suggests the possibility that the officers of Operation Flush
were deliberately seeking to provoke the group. Mallam
Mohammed Yusuf is often referred to as the spiritual leader
of the Jama'at Hijra Wa Taqfir, also known as the "Nigerian
Taliban" (and we believe that the MYIM is another name of the
same organization),which has long had very tense relations
with GON security forces in the northeast of the country.
Whatever the origin of this incident, it illustrates the
prevailing tensions in the North, which can become violent at
short notice. End Comment.
SANDERS