Nigerian leader visits riot-hit state

By Elizabeth Blunt
BBC correspondent in Yelwa

The president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has been visiting the areas of Plateau State affected by bitter inter-communal fighting in May.

President Olusegun Obasanjo promised aid for rebuilding

An estimated 250,000 people were displaced from their homes, but some of them, at least, came back to see the president.

Most of what is left of Yelwa's population had come to the school compound to see the president, along with people from neighbouring communities.

Some of those who left in May had come back for the occasion, also taking the opportunity to see what was left of their former homes.

Yelwa town is still a sorry sight, with whole streets where every house has been destroyed.

Most of the people who fled from here were Muslims, but everyone suffered - Christian churches were burnt out, as well as the town's old mud-built mosque.

Aid pledge

The president told his audience that he had come to celebrate peace, but said he had to see peace before he could celebrate it.

He said the day he had been forced to impose emergency rule, exactly three months ago, had been one of the worst of his life.

But the violence had started to spread and no responsible government could have failed to act.

He praised the work of the emergency administrator in restoring peace.

Mostly the crowd listened quietly, but raised a cheer when the president promised them help to rebuild their homes.

But standing where the president could not miss them were a group of children with posters accusing the suspended state governor of having failed to prevent the violence, and saying that the killers should be brought to justice.