Nigerianauthorities say normalcy has returned to the northern state of Bauchi afterdays of sectarian violence. The clashes resulted in dozens of deaths andextensive property damage. Officials say heavily armed troops took oversecurity in Bauchi City after the police were overpowered by rampagingyouths. The Red Cross and Red Crescent societies report thousands have beendisplaced and many are seeking shelter in army barracks.
PeterObi, the governor of the southeastern state of Anambra, recently toured thearea. VOA English to Africa reporter Chinedu Offor asked his chief presssecretary, Mike Udah, what his boss thinks of the frequent religious clashes inthe country.
"He feels worried about the incessantcases of violence, in the northern parts of the country in particular, and heshares that feeling with his brother governors in the southeastern part ofNigeria, namely Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo and Abia. Incidentally, at the moment he happensto be the chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum, so all of them are worriedand he is particularly worried that every now and then we would have cases ofriots, most of the time with religious undertones."
Udah says Governor Obi's went to the areasaffected by the riots to determine what has to be done to help those displacedby the fighting.
"Yes, in Jos, among other things, hevisited southeastern people who are residents of that city to commiserate withthem over the loss of lives and property which they suffered on account of therecent violence there and then to tell them that the governors of the southeastwere deeply touched by their plight and would urge them to make sure that theyparticipate fully in the various enquiries that have been instituted with aview to finding out cause of causes of the riots. He also pledged a donation onbehalf of the southeast governors."
Udahsays the administration, while not encouraging people to run away from the areaof conflict, is prepared to assist those who decide to relocate to the state."In Anambra State, Governor Obi is on top of the security. He is constantlymeeting with security operatives, the State Security Service, the police, thearmy and, as I speak to you, there are no fears about reprisal attacks."