Riots Backdrop To Conference

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30955, 11 January 1966, Page 11

Riots Backdrop To Conference

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter —Copyright) LAGOS, January 10. The Nigerian authorities today took steps to smother any fresh outbreaks of violence that could cloud tomorrow’s opening of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ conference.

It is feared that violence and unrest may be the backdrop to the talks after political riots between rival Nigerian factions broke out yesterday in Lagos’s northern suburbs. Seven people are reported to have been killed. Hundreds were reported to be fleeing from the area. Strong detachments of riot police armed with automatic weapons and rifles have cordoned off the area. Today’s rioting in outer Lagos was between gangs of men armed with long knives shouting Western opposition slogans and groups believed to be sympathetic to the Nigerian National Alliance (N.N.A.). Eye-witnesses said the rioters also used poisoned arrows.

Well-informed sources said reinforced squads of riot police were on the alert ready for fresh disturbances or attempts by demonstrators to block roads on to Lagos island, where the Commonwealth leaders or their representatives will meet. The precautions came after reported threats by certain Opposition sympathisers in Nigeria's Western Region to focus attention on political unrest there by creating disturbances during the conference. However, informed sources said the Nigerian authorities have no fears for the safety of conference delegates as the demonstrations are not directed against them. Delegates are expected to come from 20 of the Commonwealth’s 22 nations.