Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lagos (Agenzia Fides) – Tension has risen in Nigeria, where yesterday (January 25), the Military Chief of Staff General Abdulrahman Danbazau announced the limitation of military movement.
According to the General, troops must have passes and good reasons to travel outside the places their units are stationed. The Chief of Staff explained that the measure was being taken because of "rising tension" as President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua remains in Saudi Arabia receiving medical treatment, where he has been since November (see Fides 11/1/2010). The lack of word on the particulars of the Head of State's health, and on his capacity to govern, have led the opposition to organize protests calling for a greater honesty on the situation.
In announcing the movement restrictions for the military, the Chief of Staff warned that a military coups would be akin to "dragging us back to the dark days of our nation's history." General Danbazau added: "We are aware of the fact that there is tension in the country. We know it's not a secret. Everybody knows that. And we also got intelligence information that some people are trying to infiltrate our ranks." Lastly, the General affirmed the army's commitment to remaining neutral in the political affairs and that they would be “committed to the defense of our new democracy.”
Tension in Nigeria has grown since the fighting in Jos (see Fides 21/1/2010), capital of the north-central Plateau State. According to an official report released today, the victims are numbered at 326. Over the last two days, there were two other events that led to increased tension. On January 25, in the state of Ogun (southwest) Dipo Dina, a prominent leader of the opposition party Action Congress, was killed. Previously, on Sunday, January 24, Bishop Peter Imasuen, Anglican Bishop of Benin City in the southern state of Edo, was kidnapped. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 26/1/2010)
