State of emergency declared in Nigeria

Nigeria’s civilian president declared sweeping state of emergency powers today in violence-torn central Plateau state, replacing the elected governor with a former military general and dissolving the state legislature.

The declaration in Lagos gives President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration sweeping powers to rule by decree in the state of hilly farms and pastures, where hundreds have been killed in recent weeks in fighting between Christian and Muslim ethnic groups.

In an address on state radio, Obasanjo said he was immediately suspending Governor Joshua Dariye and other elected state officials who he said had “wittingly and unwittingly encouraged acts that have subverted peace and tranquility”.

Replacing Dariye is retired Major General Chris Ali, a state resident who served in the Nigerian army under previous junta rulers.

Plateau has been riven by simmering ethnic and religious violence since fighting in September 2001 in the city of Jos left more than 1,000 killed.

Fighting escalated again earlier this month with the killings of hundreds of Muslims by members of a Christian ethnic militia in the Plateau town of Yelwa.

Muslims rioted last week in the northern city of Kano, attacking Christians and killing scores in apparent revenge for the Yelwa killings.

Christian and Muslim groups have both accused Dariye of siding against them in the violence.