BUSINESS operations have resumed in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, after the mayhem unleashed on the christian population by alleged Muslim fanatics.

Resumption of business came ahead of appeal by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that its members, who were the target of the attacks should return back to business. CAN had earlier asked Christians in the state to shut down their businesses especially as security was not guaranteed by the state security agents.

The decision to shut down business was also informed by the need to sympathize with their brethren, some of whom were felled by the religious fanatics.

The riot was embarked upon by suspected Muslim fanatics, who were protesting the blasphemous Danish Newspaper cartoon of the holy Prophet Mohammad on February 18, 2006.

Business Champion observed that a number of shops that survived the attack reopened after a one-week forced closure, even though, the shop owners were seen clearing the debris left behind by the attackers in the wake of the violence.

The spare parts market along the Bank of the North area, a few motor tyres shops along Ahmadu Bello way, as well as restaurants mostly owned by Igbo traders responded to the directive by opening the shops for business transactions.

During Sunday Church services in the various Churches, most of which operated under trees, the presiding ministers pleaded with the Christians shop owners to open their business premises for business after the earlier one week stay-at-home order expired.

As if waiting for the commencement of business activities, buyers, especially vehicle mechanics trooped the spare part market for their spare part needs as one Mr. Joel puts it, "my customer's car has been with me for the past four days and I don't have money to go to Kano to get the part."

Also, schools, both private and public open their doors to pupils eventhough the better part of the morning was used for cleaning.

	Copyright © 2006 Daily Champion. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).