Revenge in the Name of Religion
The Cycle of Violence in Plateau and Kano States

I. Summary

II. Recommendations

To the Nigerian government and security forces

To religious and community leaders, at national, state and local levels

III. The Conflict in Plateau State

IV. The Conflict in Yelwa

1. Background

2. Violent conflict in Yelwa

2.1 Violence on June 26, 2002. 13

2.2 The attack of February 24, 2004

2.3 Other attacks: February to May 2004

2.4 The attack of May 2-3, 2004

2.5 The response of Christian representatives to the May 2-3 attack

2.6 The response of the security forces

2.7 Abduction of women and children and sexual abuse

2.8 The aftermath of the May 2-3 attack

3. Internal displacement

V. The Government’s Response to the Violence in Plateau State

1. The state of emergency

2. Peace initiatives

3. Commissions of inquiry

4. Arrests and prosecutions

VI. Revenge and Retaliation in Kano

1. Killings of Christians by Muslims

1.1 Killings in Sharada

1.2 Killings in Panshekara and other areas

2. The brutal response of the police and the military

3. Arrests and prosecutions

4. Internal displacement

VII. Conclusion

VIII. Acknowledgements

May 2005   Vol. 17, No. 8(A)