NIGERIA: SSS DG ARE ON AL QAIDA

S E C R E T ABUJA 003238 SIPDIS NOFORN DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RA AND S/CT E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X1, 1.6X5, 1.6X6 TAGS: PREL PTER ASEC NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: SSS DG ARE ON AL QAIDA REF: A. STATE 208320 ¶B. ABUJA 2560 ¶C. ABUJA 2405 (U) Classified by Ambassador Howard F. Jeter; Reasons 1.6X1, 1.6X5, 1.6X6. ¶1. (S/NF) During a December 11 call on State Security Service Director General Kayode Are, Ambassador Jeter (accompanied by RAO and PolMilOff) thanked Are for the GON's efforts to combat terrorism and to ensure the safety of official and non-official Americans in Nigeria. Jeter presented reftel points, emphasizing the need for Nigeria to be sensitive to the possibility that Taliban and Al Qaida members could conceivably seek refuge here. Are said the SSS, in cooperation with other Nigerian Security Agencies, remained vigilant to that possibility. Are further noted that he had heard a story about a Nigerian named "Agrah" who had been identified as fighting for the Taleban, but dismissed the story, saying that "Agrah" was not a Nigerian name. ¶2. (S/NF) Are stated that SSS investigations had increased as a result of 9/11. In reference to the visa and entry/exit stamps in one of the hijackers passport (also see Refs B and C),Are said the SSS had concluded that the individual had, in fact, never visited Nigeria. The visa was fraudulent, there had been no entry card, and the signature on the entry stamp was not that of the immigration officer on duty at the time. Are speculated that the false documents had been obtained from a Nigerian syndicate operating in Saudi Arabia. ¶3. (S/NF) Are asked if there were any connection between Hizballah and Al Qaida? RAO said there did not appear to be a direct connection (one being Shi'a; the other Sunni),but that cross-pollination was always a possibility. ¶4. (S/NF) In response to Ambassador Jeter's question about media reports of Nigeria deporting six Pakistani nationals, Are explained that while no troubling connections had been found between the Pakistani proselytizers and terrorism, the decision was made to deport them now, but with the promise that they might return next year. He explained that the media had blown the story out of proportion drawing a connection to terrorism. The Lagos-based Muslim NGO called "Tabliq" organized the proselytizing trips, and had been doing so for years. Are stated that he planned to meet with the leaders of Tabliq to discuss their operations, and that they should be allowed to continue if there were no illicit connections. However, the SSS Director General expressed concern regarding the funding for the organization, which came through wire transfers from sources in Pakistan, India and Malaysia. Jeter