This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000820 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM NI
SUBJECT: PLATEAU STATE BOILS AGAIN 
 
¶1.  Summary: The creation of a new development zone enflamed 
a long-standing rivalry between two communities in Plateau 
State, leading to bloody ethnic attacks and counter attacks 
on April 11-12.  Reported casualty figures range from 30 to 
100 people.  Governor Joshua Dariye imposed a dusk to dawn 
curfew and sent security personnel to the area, but sources 
report that smaller-scale skirmishes continued over the 
Easter weekend in remote rural areas.  End Summary. 
 
------------------------- 
BACKGROUND TO THE CRISIS 
------------------------- 
 
¶2.  According to a source in Jos, the genesis of the current 
conflict was the decision of Plateau State Government three 
months ago to elevate Namu, a growing settlement in the Quan 
Pan Local Government Area to a "Development Area."  Namu is 
close to Yelwa-Shendam and its ownership is hotly contested 
by two ethnic groups: the Gomai and the Pan (sometimes 
called Dimak).   Yelwa-Shendam has been a hotbed of ethno- 
religious fighting over the past few years ago, where 
thousands of lives were lost. 
 
¶3.  Both the Gomai and Pan ethnic groups include Muslims, 
Christians and followers of traditional religions.  The Pan 
allege that the Gomai are "settlers" and claim that the 
small town historically belonged to them.  Therefore, they 
argue that the leadership of the new territorial entity must 
be appointed from the Pan ethnic group.  The Gomai, on the 
other hand, vehemently dispute the Pan's claim, pointing out 
other historical evidence of their longstanding presence in 
the region. The present traditional leader of Namu, Sanusi 
Allah Yananan, is himself a Gomai.  A panel of inquiry 
headed by Justice Constance Momoh was set up by the state 
government to verify the claims made by both sides about 
ownership of the town. 
 
¶4.  The current crisis was fueled by a combination of the 
historic Pan-Gomai rivalry and new rumors circulating among 
these communities that Justice Momoh Panel had upheld the 
Gomai's claim of Namu ownership, understandably raising the 
tensions. 
 
--------------- 
IMMEDIATE CAUSE 
--------------- 
 
¶5.  The proximate cause of the bloodshed was more mundane. 
On April 10 a Gomai man collected some sand from land 
belonging to a Pan man without permission.  This led to 
heated argument and fisticuffs.  The Pan quickly called on 
his kinsmen to join in the fighting, where they physically 
attacked and chased the Gomai from the town.  The 
traditional ruler of Gomai, Yananan, has temporarily 
relocated to Jos.  A source said the Pan also invited the 
Taroks ethnic militias to help them in "wiping out" their 
neighbors.  Several villages in the disputed area have been 
affected by the crisis.  Other smaller ethnic groups like 
Hausa, Angas and Eggu also suffered casualties. 
 
------------------- 
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE 
------------------- 
 
¶6.  Plateau government sources admitted there was a conflict 
near Namu, but quickly maintained that the violence been 
nipped in the bud.  The government says it has taken 
precautionary steps to prevent the crisis spreading to other 
parts of the state.  The government has imposed a dusk to 
dawn curfew in the area and the security agents have been 
mobilized.  However, contrary to government's position, 
there are reports saying the conflict has subsided, though 
skirmishes are still occurring in some remote areas. 
 
------------ 
CASUALTIES 
------------ 
 
¶7.  Various media sources reported that about 100 people 
were killed, but independent sources in Jos put the figures 
between 30 to 40 people.  The government claimed the 
casualty figures were exaggerated by the media and says that 
10 to 20 people lost their lives during the violence. 
 
------- 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
¶8.  The creation of new local governments and development 
areas by state governments in Nigeria has led to violence in 
many communities.  Although the governments averred their 
action was meant to develop the areas by "bringing the third 
tier of the government closer to the people," often 
governments deliberately manipulate certain variables like 
the location of the headquarters of these new territorial 
entities to gain political advantage. 
 
 
CAMPBELL