There are many reports of religious tension in Nigeria since the inauguration of President Obasanjo in May 1999. Many of them have involved the introduction of Sharia law, or proposals for its introduction, in northern states. For general information on religious freedom, please consult the Nigeria entry for the Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 2000 which is an electronic attachment at the end of this Response.

Preface

In October 1999 Zamfara was the first state to introduce "the controversial Islamic Sharia legal and administrative system, raising the sectarian temperature in the multi-religious nation which has a secular constitution" (ARB Oct. 1999, 13723; Keesing's Oct. 1999). The state governor claimed that non-Muslims had nothing to fear and that the law would not apply to non-Muslims (NTA TV 28 Sept. 1999; Keesing's Oct. 1999; ARB Oct. 1999, 13723). However, pro-democracy and human rights groups "denounced" the move as unconstitutional (ibid.; Keesing's Oct. 1999).

Prominent Nigerian clerics like Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Olunbunmi Okogie, have warned against the introduction of Sharia as a state religion which they consider an infringement on the freedom of worship of other religious adherents guaranteed by the constitution.

Abdul Oroh, a Muslim, and executive director of the Civil Liberties Organisation is also opposed to the Zamfara state move which he described as the exploitation of religion for political gain (ARB Oct. 1999, 13725).

Africa Research Bulletin provided some commentary on how Zamfara's actions were received and speculated on future reactions:

Sharia has reportedly been very popular in Zamfara and the state's Muslim leaders are now claiming that it is the most law-abiding area of the country. ...

Rivers State, in the southern delta region, has threatened to respond by declaring itself a Christian state. ...

The overt adoption of the Sharia could lead to social complications and gender discrimination. Some governments now frown on open sale of alcohol, and zealots harass young women wearing western clothing. ...

A coalition of 10 women's organisation, led by Ayesha Imam of the group Women Living Under Muslim Law, have condemned the sharia drive as damaging to the rights of women.

Things could get especially complicated in Kano, the north's biggest commercial centre. Sharia enforcement there could lead to an exodus of almost a million non-Muslims including foreigners who work in commerce and industry.

This could lead to northerners in southern Nigeria fleeing to the north for fear of reprisals.

Religious tension heightened at the end of December with the burning of dozens of churches by suspected Muslim extremists in the south-western city of Ilorin. ...

The president of the youth wing of CAN, the Rev. Tunde Simieon, also issued a threat. "Christians may be forced to defend themselves if the government fails to call the fundamentalists to order," he said (Dec. 1999, 13798).

However, in February 2000 Africa Research Bulletin reported that "Sharia arrived peacefully in the overwhelmingly Muslim Zamfara" (13876)

On 21 June 2000, the Kano State governor approved Sharia although its implementation was to be delayed until November (ibid.; Keesing's June 2000). The governor said there would be no exemptions from Sharia, withdrawing an earlier statement that a predominantly non-Muslim area would be exempted (ibid. June 2000, 14011; Keesing's June 2000). Two days before the governor approved Sharia the Kano state deputy governor "narrowly escaped being lynched by some pro-Sharia youths" at a ceremony commemorating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (19 June 2000). Students chanted pro-Sharia slogans and then began throwing stones at the end of the ceremony which included students reciting from the Holy Qur'an (ibid.). In July, the Igbo non-governmental organization, Adobe Conscience Forum (ACF), "declared its resolve to resist any further attack on Igbos regarding the implementation of sharia law in Kano State" in response to the declaration of Sharia and its possible extension to military bases and areas in which Igbo Christians reside (This Day 6 July 2000). A representative was quoted as saying "we will mobilize the Igbos to return fire to fire" (ibid.).

Kaduna State

At the end of February 2000 violence erupted in Kaduna city during a march by Christians protesting the possibility of the introduction of Sharia (P.M. News 21 Feb. 2000; Dawn 27 Feb. 2000; The News 6 Mar. 2000). This led to sustained violence and killings during the period of 21-23 February 2000 (Keesing's Feb. 2000). West Africa reported an "unofficial" death toll of 2,000 (6-12 Mar. 2000). Dawn reported on 27 February 2000 that "thousands of people who subsequently crammed into military camps for refuge complained they did not have enough food or water and would leave Kaduna as soon as there was transport to carry them."

Reacting to the deaths the Igbo leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) "threatened to mobilise Igbos in the South to retaliate against the Hausas 'if the Federal Government fails to stop the killings of Igbos in Kaduna'" and urged Igbo residents, "especially [in] Kaduna, 'to use every amount of force available to them to defend themselves'" (P.M. News 23 Feb. 2000).

Reporting on 28 February 2000, and noting that the Kaduna state governor was out of the country for unrelated medical treatment, P.M. News speculated that:

his attitude to the crisis is believed to be stoking the embers of hatred which could make peace difficult to achieve.

Indeed, the Kaduna State government, analysts have posited, has found itself caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. "If the government now says no more Sharia, the muslims will take up arms again. On the other hand, if they decide to go ahead with Sharia the Christians will conclude that the government has taken side, with Muslims," offered Comrade Uba Sani, Northern Coordinator of Joint Action Committee of Nigeria (JACON).

Meanwhile, as Igbo traders and Hausa/Muslim businessmen take stock of their destroyed goods, fears are that moves are being made by both groups to retaliate on a large scale. ...

Reports also revealed that the religious strife that consumed Kaduna city has spread to Kachia, headquarters of Kachia Local Council in Kaduna where the police have confirmed the death of 65 persons, including a policeman.

The News reported numerous deaths in both Kachia, as well as the villages of Narayi and Badarawa in Kaduna State (6 Mar. 2000).

For more information on the February 2000 violence in Kaduna, please consult NGA35264.E of 18 August 2000, as well as the 6-12 March issue of West Africa that is available in Regional Documentation Centres.

More religious clashes occurred in the city of Kaduna at the end of May 2000 (Keesing's May 2000; ARB May 2000, 13979; Dawn 26 May 2000). Sources reported that 300 persons were killed (ibid.; PANA 29 May 2000). Africa Research Bulletin wrote:

The Kaduna State House of Assembly passed a resolution calling on the government to take urgent steps to restore normalcy in areas affected by the communal clashes on May 22nd, reported Radio Nigeria-Kaduna. The house also unanimously asked the government to take decisive measures against any person involved, to serve as a deterrent to others.

The majority of members condemned the renewed outbreak of violenace and attributed it to mischief-makers.

The radio went on to say that the state government had the situation under control and was imposing a curfew. Armed security personnel were ensuring order and mobile courts set up to try violators of the curfew. By May 25th, the radio reported that the situation had returned to normal.

Newswatch said the fighting broke out in Southern Kaduna where youths attacked Muslim youths in a neighbouring area. The flint that ignited the spark was the discovery of a body. Some 150 died during the riots which spread to other communities.

According to the Financial Times, tensions have been high in Kaduna since fighting in February sparked by Christian protests over Muslim calls for the imposition of strict Islamic law. ...

Mediation efforts by the federal government through traditional and religious leaders had eased the crisis and it was notable on May 23rd that Christian and Muslim associations denounced the fresh violence, saying in a joint statement that it had no religious basis.

But the root of the division across northern Nigeria remains, and some elected state governments have continued moves to introduce Islamic Sharia law despite protests by Christians (May 2000, 13979).

Post Express reported on the 23 May 2000 killing of a Catholic priest in Kaduna allegedly by "irate moslem youths" who left his body in a gutter where it was found later (28 May 2000).

In a 16 June 2000 report the same newspaper provided a description of the mood in the city of Kaduna:

A visit to Kaduna reveals a city that is fast becoming a grave- yard. The parks were not only overflowing with passengers fleeing the city, but commercial and social life of the city is at its lowest ebb. Despite appeals from religious and traditional rulers, people of the city are retreating to their ethnic enclaves or at best moving to areas where they feel secure. ...

Even as the state tries to bring peace to the city whose fragile peace was shattered penultimate Monday, analysts are suggesting that all religious groups come together for a frank dialogue to bridge the gap of mutual distrust. Though the last riots were said to be devoid of religious factors, some residents blamed the re-emergence of violence on mutual distrust among adherents of the two religions. ...

There is no gainsaying the fact that since the February Sharia imbroglio, the adherents of the two religions have gradually but naturally carved Kaduna city into two, the South for Christians and the North for Moslems. This seeming balkanisation, according to Megaji, the former deputy governor of Kaduna State and chieftain of the All People's Party, APP, is capable entrenching deep rooted distrust and making a Lebanon out of the state (ibid.).

Africa Research Bulletin provided general comments on the fears of non-Muslims:

Non-Muslim especially in Kaduna say that what they fear is the effect of the Sharia on their lifestyles, especially aspects in their culture which may be infringed upon by the full application of the Islamic law. A motorbike operator was jailed, for instance, for carrying women. They are quick to point to comments and actions of the government of Zamfara. For example, the state governor refused to include Christians on the board of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. He has also vowed not to give jobs to anyone who does not wear a beard. Since it is the Christians in Zamfara who own restaurants and bars they believe the ultimate objective is to drive them out of business (Feb. 2000, 13876).

General Situation

At the end of February Nigeria's vice-president, Atiku Abubakar, met with northern governors and they "decided that the implementation of the sharia law in the northern states should revert to the former provisions of the penal code" (Africa Research Bulletin Feb. 2000, 13877; Africa Confidential 3 Mar. 2000, 1). At a news conference following a meeting of the National Council of States, federal and state government representatives "appealed to all religious leaders, opinion leaders, and leaders of thought to help keep their citizens or followers in check to minimise the present tension in the country" (ARB Feb. 2000, 13877). The governors of the three northern states which had already implemented Sharia - Zamfara, Niger, and Sokoto - agreed to withdraw the Sharia legislation while three other states that were considering the introduction of Sharia - Kaduna, Kano, and Yobe - agreed to "halt the process" of introducing Sharia (ibid.).

However, in March 2000a Africa Research Bulletin reported that "tension remained high" despite the decision of the National Council of States "to return to the status quo" (13914). In this issue of ARB the status of different state's responses to Sharia and religious tensions were outlined:

North

Kwara: the governor has ruled out adopting the shari'ah, beyond what is long existing in the penal code.

Sokoto: outbreak of religious tension, demand by Islamist students for immediate adoption of shari'ah.

Niger: agreed to withdraw shari'ah bills. A curfew imposed on the troubled Suleja emirate. The emir had reportedly fled. Suleja tense on Marth 26th amid tight security. ...

Kano: governor rejected the decision of the National Council of States (NCS) to return to the status quo ante.

Zamfara: absolutely refused to stand down the implementation of the shari'ah. Governor Ahmed Sani has become famous for his determination to adopt the shari'ah in this new state, recently carved out of Sokoto.

Borno: The Guardian reported fifteen killed "so far" in Muslim-Christian clashes which began on March 27th.

East

Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo: rioting spread from Kaduna to eastern states in February. They have condemned the killing of easterners. The governors all support the suspension of the shari'ah. They have set up a relief fund with an initial deposit of N5m. Thousands of refugees have arrived. Violence re-emerged in Imo on March 29th.

Taraba: No clashes, but Newswatch reported a state of high tension. Open-air preaching banned.

Rivers: tension.

Akwa Ibom: dusk-to-dawn curfew.

Centre

Kaduna: scene of February's muslim, christian clashes. The state government set up a reconciliation committee, but tension remained high and spilled over again on March 20th.

Abuja - Federal Capital Territory: all forms of open-air religious activities banned, to "forestall a spillover effect. Clashes reported between supporters of two rival claimants to the leadership of the local emirate.

Kogi: open-air preaching and processions banned to forestall outbreak.

South West

Edo: security forces on alert following reports of a possible breakdown in law and order. The deputy governor said the state recognised freedom of worship of all persons or groups.

Osun: renewed communal clashes left ten dead and scores missing on March 3rd, as long-standing ancestral animosity between Ife and Modakeke (both Yoruba stock) flared. Curfew declared.

Ogun: religious leaders have assured President Obasanjo of peace.

Oyo: governor has said any religious war will endanger Nigeria's nascent democracy (ibid. Mar. 2000b, 13915).

Following the February announcement that an agreement had been reached with northern states to suspend Sharia law, there were subsequent reports that states were nonetheless proceeding with plans to introduce it without opposition from the federal government. On 29 March 2000 President Obasanjo said:

that he would not forbid Nigeria's states from implementing Islamic sharia law despite hundreds of deaths in sectarian violence and the carrying out of the first amputation in Zamfara state. ...

He said that it was up to individuals rather than to the federal administration to challenge the legitimacy of Zamfara's actions in the courts. Zamfara governor Ahmed (Sani had initially said that he would support the suspension of sharia law, but subsequently declared in a joint statement with the north-western governors of Sokoto and Kebbi on March 1 that he would continue to implement Islamic law) (Keesing's Mar. 2000).

Keesing's reported in April 2000 that

the governors of 19 predominantly Muslim northern states held a meeting on April 3 to discuss issues surrounding the attempts by some northern states to implement Islamic sharia law. At the meeting it was decided to establish a panel composed of Muslim and Christian leaders which would attempt to harmonise sharia with the federal legal code. The meeting also declared its support for Nigeria remaining a single state.

On 9 July 2000 PANA reported that

Vice president Atiku Abubakar has strongly defended the controversial Islamic Sharia legal code. ...

Abubakar said in the northern city of Sokoto Saturday that he did not see why anybody should fear the adoption of the law, since every Nigerian had a constitutional right to determine the type of court he would like to be tried for whatever offence. ...

The federal government has refused to go to court over the issue but encouraged anybody whose interest was affected by the law to seek legal redress.

After the proposal to introduce the law in Kaduna state sparked off clashes and deaths among Moslems and Christians earlier this year, the government negotiated an agreement with the governors of the 19 northern states to suspend the introduction of the law.

But, after three more states introduced the Sharia, Christian groups have renewed their call on the federal government to take a definite stand on the issue.

But, according to "This day", Atiku on Saturday dismissed the calls, saying: "We must stop this confusion in the interest of the country because Sharia is part of our legal system."

He denied that the agreement reached with the governors was to suspend Sharia, saying what was agreed upon was a return to the status quo ante until normalcy has returned to the country.

Abubakar said that although the federal government had earlier thought that those agitating for Sharia wanted to use it to cause political instability, it was now clear they had good intentions.

He defended the governors who have introduced the law, saying they were responding to the wishes of their people.

"This is a democratic setting, they have the right to do the wishes of their people and I don't think that should bother anybody," said the Vice President, himself a northerner. ...

Governors of many other states in the north are under pressure from their majority Moslem population to introduce the law, which prescribes death by stoning for adulterers and hand amputation for stealing, among others.

AFP reported on 8 August 2000 that: Katsina and Jigawa had "declared Islamic law or announced their plans to introduce the code [while] four more states - Bauchi, Borono, Gombe and Kebbi - are expected to announce their plans soon." The governor of Yobe state was also reported as having signed a bill providing for the introduction of Sharia law on 1 October 2000 (ibid.). AFP described the governor of that state as "a close ally of Obasanjo" (1 Aug. 2000).

For further background information on this subject please see the 10-16 July 2000 issue of West Africa available in Regional Documentation Centres.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Africa Confidential. [London]. 3 March 2000. Vol. 41, No. 5. "Nigeria: In God's Name."

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. June 2000. Vol. 37, No. 6."Nigeria: Kano Chooses Sharia."

_____. May 2000. Vol. 37, No. 5. "Nigeria: Kaduna Unrest."

_____. March 2000a. Vol. 37, No. 3. "Nigeria: Tension High."

_____. March 2000b. Vol. 37, No. 3. "Nigeria: States' Response."

_____. February 2000. Vol. 37, No.2. "Nigeria: Kaduna Explodes."

_____. December 1999. Vol. 36, No. 12. "Nigeria: Christians Against Sharia."

_____. October 1999. Vol. 36, No. 10. "Nigeria: Zamfara Declares Sharia Law."

Agence France Presse (AFP). 8 August 2000. "Seventh Nigerian State Declares Islamic Law." (NEXIS)

_____. 1 August 2000. Aminu Abubakar. "New Nigerian State Introduces Islamic Law." (NEXIS)

Dawn [Karachi]. 26 May 2000. "Thousands Flee Homes in Nigeria." http://dawn.com [Accessed 26 May 2000]

_____. 27 February 2000. "Nigerian Communities Bitter as Calm Returns." http://dawn.com [Accessed 29 Feb. 2000]

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. June 2000. Vol. 46. "Nigeria: Launch of Sharia by Kano." http://keesings.gvpi.net/ [Accessed 17 Aug. 2000]

_____. May 2000. Vol. 46. "Nigeria: Fresh Clashes in Kaduna." http://keesings.gvpi.net/ [Accessed 17 Aug. 2000]

_____. April 2000. Vol. 46. "Nigeria: Meetings on Sharia Law." http://keesings.gvpi.net/ [Accessed 17 Aug. 2000]

_____. March 2000. Vol. 46. "Nigeria: Rejection of Federal Ban on Sharia." http://keesings.gvpi.net/ [Accessed 17 Aug. 2000]

_____. February 2000. Vol. 46. "Nigeria: Serious Sectarian Violence." http://keesings.gvpi.net/ [Accessed 17 Aug. 2000]

_____. October 1999. Vol. 45. "Nigeria: Declaration of Sharia in Zamfara." http://keesings.gvpi.net/ [Accessed 17 Aug. 2000]

The News [Lagos]. 6 March 2000. Bashir Kalejaiye. "Nigeria; Details of the Four-Day Religious War Will Kaduna Ever be the Same." (Africa News/NEXIS)

NTA TV [Lagos, in English]. 28 September 1999. "Zamfara State Introduces Shari'ah Law; Christians Reassured." (BBC Summary 1 Oct. 1999/NEXIS)

Panafrican News Agency (PANA). 9 July 2000. "Nigeria; Nigerian Vice President Defends Sharia Law." (Africa News/NEXIS)

_____. 29 May 2000. "Nigeria; Communal Fighting Resumes in Ife, Modakeke." (Africa News/NEXIS)

P.M. News [Lagos]. 28 February 2000. Henry Ugbolue. "Nigeria; Fresh Crisis in Kaduna Muslims Attack 2 Churches." (Africa News/NEXIS)

_____. 23 February 2000. Friday Olokor. "Nigeria; Igbo Threaten Violence Over Sharia." (Africa News/NEXIS)

_____. 21 February 2000. Bashir Kalejaiye. "Nigeria; Kaduna Boils Over Sharia Muslims, Christians Kill One Another." (Africa News/NEXIS)

Post Express [Lagos]. 16 June 2000. "Nigeria; Keeping the Peace in Kaduna." (Africa News/NEXIS)

_____. 28 May 2000. Sukuji Bakoji. "Nigeria; Kaduna Crisis Latest: Moslem Youths Kill Catholic Priest." (Africa News/NEXIS)

This Day [Lagos]. 6 July 2000. Ijeoma Ejiogu. "Nigeria; Igbo Group to Revenge Further Attacks Over Sharia." (Africa News/NEXIS)

Weekly Trust [Kaduna]. 19 June 2000. Aliyu M. Sulaiman. "Nigeria; Pro-Sharia Youths Attack Kano Deputy Governor." (Africa News/NEXIS)

West Africa [London]. 6-12 March 2000. Anayo Ude. "2,000 Feared Dead as Residents Flee Violence."

_____. 21-27 February 2000. No. 4214. "News Roundup: Lagos, Nigeria."

Attachment

Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 2000. 5 September 2000. United States Department of State. http://www.state.gov/www/global/human_rights/irf/irf_rpt/1999/irf_iran99.html [Accessed 13 Sept. 2000]