Violent clashes in Jos: 20 feared killed in Christian-Muslim fights

On 29 August, at least 20 people were killed and more than 50 vehicles burnt during clashes between Christian and Muslim youths, amidst celebration of the Muslim Eid-el Fitr in Jos, capital of Plateau State. Residents said some of the deaths occurred after military forces had been deployed to disengage the fighting youths.

By various accounts, the fight started after a group of Muslims, who had gathered at a prayer ground in the Rukuba area of the city, to end the Muslim month of Ramadan, were confronted by youths from the predominantly Christian neighbourhoods. The Muslims were said to be members of a radical sect, the Jama’atul Izalatul Bid’ah Wa Ikamatus Sunnah (often refered to as Izala or JIBWIS for short) who were observing the Eid el-Fitr a day ahead of most other Muslims in the country.

It is not clear how the confrontation started. Several sources said the Muslims had not used that prayer ground since the Christian-Muslim fights of December 2010, and that their attempt to resume prayers there unilaterally, without seeking approval and working out necessary modalities for maintaining peace, was considered an act of provocation by the predominantly Christian residents. A resident said when some Muslims went to clear the bushes at the prayer ground three days earlier, in preparation for the Eid prayer, they were told by residents not to proceed with their plan.

One source however said the Christian youths also took the action to avenge the disruption of their own Christmas Day celebrations last year, by deadly bomb attacks which killed over 80 people on 24 December, and which were seen as the handiwork of Muslim youths.

Whichever was the case, youths from the Christian-dominated neighbourhood reportedly mobilized and surrounded the prayer ground. Brig Gen Hassan Umaru, commander of the military Special Task Force in the state, told Reuters that the Muslims had completed their prayers before they found themselves trapped by neighbourhood youths who would not allow them leave, thereby sparking a fight.

The fighters on both sides used knives and machetes, as well as bows and arrows. Soldiers, police and members the state security outfit code-named Operation Rainbow, were rapidly deployed to the area. Firing in the air, they dispersed the fighters and evacuated some Muslims who were still trapped in the area.

The fight however spread to some other parts of the metropolis. On learning of the confrontation at the prayer ground, youth groups in other parts mobilized to march into the area and support their colleagues. Reports say soldiers attempting to disperse the rampaging youth met stiff resistance in some areas. Gunshots could be heard in several parts of the city as a helicopter hovered in the sky.

Security authorities have not yet reported on casualties. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Emmanuel Dipo Ayeni, said he did not yet have definite figures. Brig Gen Umaru told Reuters that: “The number of people killed, I can’t give that yet. We are still checking with local hospital sources”.

However, government sources and local residents said at least 20 people were killed, some of them by soldiers drafted to quell the fight. Choji Gyang, special adviser on religious affairs to the Plateau State Governor, told CNN that at least 20 people were killed, some of them allegedly by the military forces.

The fighting had stopped by the end of day, but the atmosphere in the city remained highly tense.

Jos is located in the so-called Middle belt of the country, a zone of convergence between the largely Muslim Hausa-Fulani who constitute the majority in northern Nigeria and many numerically smaller but predominantly Christian ethnic groups who had been long settled in the region. Especially since 2009, the city and the surrounding local government areas had suffered recurrent violence, with several hundreds killed.

Intensive security operations had forced down the violence since late 2010, though midnight attacks and “silent killings” continued in some remote villages. The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Abraham Yiljap, told a press conference in Jos, that the renewed violence was “a great setback to the peace being attained in the state”.

Gunmen attack police station, banks in Gombi, Adamawa State: Kill 16 people

On 25 August, gunmen attacked two banks and a police station, killing 16 people, in Gombi,  Adamawa State. The town of Gumbi is about 120km north of the Adamawa State capital, Yola, and just about 30km south of Borno State, base of the militant Islamist group, widely known as Boko Haram.

According to the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Adenrele Shinaba, the gunmen  who came in vehicles and motorbikes first attacked the police station with bombs and automatic gunfire, killing four police officers and a soldier guarding the area. He said they then proceeded to attack the local branches of two banks – First Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc – killing seven bank employees, before they fled with a yet unascertained amount of cash. Shinaba said four other persons were injuried in the attacks.

However, the chairman of the local government council, Alhaji Ahmad Isa Hassan, told newsmen that “Sixteen people were killed” in the attacks, comprising seven police officers, one soldier and eight other persons, mostly bank staff and customers.

It is not certain who may have been responsible for the attacks. Alhaji Hassan said, for now, his suspicion was that the attackers were armed bandits acting on basically criminal motivations. But the Commissioner of Police said the attacks were “by a gang of suspected Boko Haram gunmen”. He said the police was searching through bushes around the town, “for fleeing sect members”.

Boko Haram, which says it is fighting for the establishment of an Islamic state in the northern part of Nigeria, had been responsible for the killing of many political, clerical and community leaders in Borno State, and had also staged numerous bomb attacks mostly targeting security personnel. However, in a mid-July interview, its spokesman, Abu Zaid, said the group had also been responsible for attacks on three banks, which he said were  not operating on Islamic principles. He had also promised more attacks on such banks.

Soldiers arrested over kidnap of Mikel Obi’s father: Army Chief orders probe

Lt Gen O. A. IHEJIRIKA Chief of Army Staff

On 23 August, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, ordered investigation into the alleged involvement of two soldiers in the kidnap of Mr Michael Obi, father of the football star, Mikel Obi. The elder Obi, kidnapped in Jos, Plateau State, on 12 August, was rescued by the police in Kano State on 22 August.

The order followed the report by the Commissioner of Police in Plateau State, Mr Dipo Ayeni, that two soldiers – Sergeant Victor Essien  with service number 96NA/43/11213 and Private Jaduwa Thloma with number 03NA/54/5527 – had been arrested in connection with the kidnap.

Briefing newsmen in Abuja, the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Raphael Isah, confirmed that two soldiers attached to the Special Task Force (STF) in Plateau State, had been held in Jos, in connection with the incident.

He said, “We view this seriously, especially the mention of soldiers of the Special Task Force Jos, as suspects by the victim. This brings to the fore the fact the Army in itself is not insulated from the kind of criminal activities that we see and hear from the larger society”. However, Gen Isah quoted the Chief of Army Staff as saying he would not tolerate such an abhorrent act of indiscipline, as the allegation of criminal complicity in the abduction issue.

The Army spokesman said the Military Police had already commenced investigation “to verify this serious allegation”. He said the Army “will not hesitate to deal with any soldier who would want to throw away the core ethics of the profession, by engaging in such criminal activities as kidnapping, robbery and the like”.

He promised that: “The outcome of these investigations will be made public as soon as the Military Police conclude their investigations”. He further said the Army would ensure that any soldier or soldiers involved in the case, if found guilty, will be sanctioned in accordance with military law.

Armed robbers attack bank vehicle in Uyo: Kill 2 policemen, 3 others

Chief GODSWILL AKPABIO Governor of Akwa Ibom State

On 23 August, armed robbers attacked a vehicle that was conveying cash to a branch of Equatorial Trust Bank in Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State, killing five people including two policemen, and snatching millions of naira.

Local sources said the incident occurred around 11.50am near Ukana Offot junction on Abak Road, a short distance from the bank’s premises.

They said the robbers waylaid a Peugeot 504 car conveying money to the bank and shot all the occupants of the car dead, including two policemen, a staff of the bank and the driver. As they shot their way to the vehicle, a stray bullet also hit and killed a passer-by.

The robbers then carted away about seven sacks, popularly referred to as ‘Ghana-must-go’ bags, loaded with cash. Some witnesses said they saw a lady wearing a bullet proof vest, who joined other members of the gang in removing money from the Peugeot car, before they escaped without encountering any challenge from security officers.

The raid is the third major armed robbery incident in Uyo, involving the killing of policemen, within the last two months. On 7 July, robbers attacked a bullion van a few meters from the Government House, killing two policemen and escaping with millions of naira. On Friday, 19 August, a gang also pursued a bullion van to the entrance of the State House of Assembly, shot and killed two mobile (anti-riot) policemen and snatched cash.

Rattled by the rising tide of bank robberies and kidnappings in the state, the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly has passed a resolution demanding that the Inspector General of Police redeploy the current Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Felix Uyanna, immediately.

Two soldiers among Mikel Obi’s father’s kidnappers, says Police

Soldiers maintaining peace in Jos

On 23 August, the Plateau State Police Command confirmed that the eight persons arrested so far, in connection with the abduction of Pa Michael Obi, father of football star, Mikel, included two serving soldiers and two women.

The Commissioner of Police in Plateau State, Mr. Dipo Ayeni, identified the two soldiers as Sgt Victor Essien  with service number 96NA/43/11213 and Private Jaduwa Thloma with number 03NA/54/5527.

Addressing newsmen in Jos, the Police chief said the soldiers were originally of 2 Battalion, but currently on temporary posting to Plateau State, as members of the Special Task Force (STF) known as Operation Safe Haven. The STF was deployed to maintain security in Plateau State, following the surge of ethno-religious violence between various communities in the state.

The Police chief also disclosed that two of the suspects were women. He identified them as Hajiya Awa Abubakar and Nkechi Osai.

The other suspects were four men identified as Ifeanyi Hyacinth, Ndubuisi Friday, Basil Chukwuma and Sule Ibrahim. Ibrahim is a national of the Republic of Niger.

The police paraded the six civilian suspects before newsmen, but said the soldiers were in the custody of the military police. There had been no reaction yet, from the Army headquarters in Abuja or the STF headquarters in Jos.

Supplier of bomb-making materials arrested in Maiduguri, Borno State

On 19 August, police reported that its detectives had arrested a shop owner who sold chemicals to people suspected of involvement in the failed suicide car bombing of the state police headquarters in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State.

In the failed attack on 15 August, police had shot and killed a man after he crashed through the gates of the state police headquarters and was heading straight to the main building, with a car loaded with explosives. The police headquarters was hosting the screening of applicants for on-going recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force, a countrywide exercise, when the car bomber attempted to strike. However, the explosives failed to detonate.

Briefing newsmen on the progress of investigations , the Commissioner of Police in Borno State, Mr Simeon Midenda, said after the foiled attack, “detectives combed the car for clues that would assist in further investigations. Following up on one of the clues, detectives were able to trace the source of the explosive materials to a store in Maiduguri”.

He said: “Investigations so far revealed 13 bottles of aluminium powder, one packet of face masks and a packet of hand gloves were bought from the store on August 8, by those who sponsored the bombing attempt”.

Midenda also said that documents recovered by detectives who searched the shop showed that it had been a regular source of the bomb-making materials. He said the documents revealed that significant quantities of similar explosive-making materials had been purchased from the shop on dates just before several other bomb attacks since last year. However, he gave no indication of who may have been sponsoring the purchases.

Over the last few months, Maiduguri had seen almost daily attacks by the militant Islamist sect, widely known as Boko Haram.  The group had also claimed responsibility for the 16 June bomb explosion at the car park of the national police headquarters in Abuja. That attack was carried out by a suicide bomber who had the explosives in his car.

Police kill attempted suicide bomber in Maiduguri, Borno State

Headquarters of Borno State Command, Nigeria Police Force, Maiduguri

On 15 August, police shot and killed a man as he drove a car full of explosives into the police headquarters in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The Borno State Commissioner of Police, Mr Simeon Midenda said the man, aged 25, was driving a car loaded with seven gas cylinders and cans of gasoline and gunpowder. He had rammed through the gate of the headquarters and was heading straight to the main building before vigilant guards shot and killed him inside his car. The explosives failed to detonate.

The police headquarters was hosting the screening of applicants for the on-going recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force, a countrywide exercise.

Over the last few months, Maiduguri had seen almost daily attacks by the militant Islamist sect, widely known as Boko Haram.  The group had also claimed responsibility for the 16 June bombing of the national police headquarters in Abuja, in which about four people were killed and over 70 cars burnt. Police sources say they suspect the group was also responsible for this foiled suicide bombing.

Armed robbers raid three banks in Ilaro, Ogun State: Kill Police officer, 3 others

On 11 August, an armed gang robbed three banks and made away with a yet-to-be-ascertained amount of money in Ilaro, Ogun State. As a police unit engaged the fleeing robbers in a gun duel, four persons were shot to death, including an Assistant Superintendent of Police, while several others were wounded.

A detailed police account of what happened is not yet available. Local sources said the gang, comprising about eight men, arrived at Ilaro in four vehicles at about 9 am, shooting in the air to scare residents. Amidst the pandemonium caused by their gun shots, they commenced raids on three commercial banks, located within the same axis of the town, robbing them one after the other.

They also robbed customers they found in the banking halls, dispossessing them of cash and personal belongings including jewelry. One source alleged that they operated for almost an hour, unchallenged by any security operatives, before they eventually carted away sacks of money from the banks.

However, as they were fleeing the town after their operation, the robbers ran into an ambush laid by men of the state Police Command. Several persons were caught in the cross-fire between the robbers and the police, leading to the death of four persons, including a police officer. Several others suffered injuries and were taken to hospitals for medical treatment. The robbers eventually abandoned two of their vehicles, which had been immobolised by police fire, and fled.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nicholas Nkemdeme said he would brief the press later in the day, but he was apparently unable to do so by the end of day.

Kaduna State Governor Yakowa donates vehicles to police

Mr PATRICK YAKOWA Governor, Kaduna State

On 9 August, the Kaduna State governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, donated six Hilux operational patrol vehicles, equipped with modern communication gadgets, to the Kaduna State Police Command.

Handing the vehicles to the police at the command headquarters in Kaduna, Governor Yakowa said they were meant to boost the mobility of the police in their operations in the state.

The governor, represented by his Special Assistant on Security, Mr Gideon Dogara Mamman, further said his government had also approved funds for complete overhaul of police vehicles damaged during the presidential election and in post-election violence in the state. He assured the police of his government’s continued support in protecting lives and property.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Ballah Magaji Nassarawa, expressed appreciation to the governor and said the vehicles would be distributed to the three area commands in the state, to strengthen their operational capabilities.

Dayo Soremi, Ogun State PDP chairman attacked by gunmen, driver killed

On 7 August, four gunmen attacked Chief Dayo Soremi, chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, and killed his driver.

Soremi was attacked in Olodo village in Ogun State, along the Abeokuta/Ibadan road, on his way to Ibadan, around 8.30 pm. The gunmen shot and killed his driver, Mr Kunle Onigbinde.  

The driver was said to have been shot while trying to make a quick U-turn and escape, after the gunmen had blocked him and his boss. The attackers made away with the vehicle – a Lexus SUV – as well as Soremi’s cell phones, cash and other valuables.

The Acting Secretary of the PDP in the state, Mr. Semiu Sodipo, said the attack was a case of armed robbery and ruled out any political motives.

However, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Nicholas Nkemdeme, said the police was still investigating the incident. He said he could not yet say categorically, whether the attack had political undertones or not.