Nigeria's secret beer mission

Senior managers of Nigeria's biggest beer manufacturers, Nigeria Breweries PLC, have returned from a "confidential mission" to states in the north of the country.

The managers travelled with a police escort, where they were assessing the impact of Sharia, or Islamic law, on their sales.

The sale and consumption of alcohol has been banned in several Northern states in recent months in compliance with Sharia - which is potentially bad news for the brewers.

Although the new laws are widely flouted, several people have been publicly flogged for contravening them.

Zamfara

In states like Zamfara, which has been enthusiastic in its application of Sharia, alcohol is now mainly drunk in private or in the army barracks in its adjoining market, where the state government has no authority.

Sharia is an explosive issue in Nigeria's multi-ethnic soiciety

Reports from Zamfara say the managers of Nigeria Breweries, which manufactures such popular beers as Star and Gulder have been working to boost morale amongst their customers.

Our correspondent says they were seen travelling at night around the state capital, Gusau, with a police escort of about 10 men inspecting venues where alcohol is still sold.

Sensitive issue

Nigeria Breweries has a strict policy of 'no comment' on any matter relating to the Sharia, a reflection of the sensitivities that surround this issue.

Earlier this week, police in Nigeria's largest city, Lagos, ordered the cancellation of a meeting of prominent Nigerians seeking to defuse tension over the implementation of Sharia.

The organisers, the Concerned Citizens Committee (CCC), were told the mere discussion of Sharia could provoke unrest in Lagos' multi-religious community.

Controversy over moves to extend Sharia in the north led to sectarian riots in February in Kaduna and other cities, in which hundreds of people were killed.

The divisions which Sharia has opened up have provided Nigeria's new democratic government with one of its most difficult challenges.