ANTICIPATED MILITARY OPERATIONS IN THE DELTA

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001354

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2013
TAGS: EPET PINS PGOV ASEC NI
SUBJECT: ANTICIPATED MILITARY OPERATIONS IN THE DELTA

REF: A. ABUJA 01333

B. ABUJA 01338


Classified By Charge Dawn Liberi. Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).


1) (C) Summary: In telcon with Embassy corporate
responsibility officer (CRO) Charge was informed that
military operations into the Delta region were
imminent and would start within 48 hours, though
possibly as early as tomorrow August 9. End summary.


2) (C) Charge was called by CRO who is in Port
Harcourt and was informed that Shell Oil head of
security had contacted CRO to inform him that shell
had taken several ARMY generals on a helicopter
overflight of the Delta (Warri region) earlier today
as part of a reconnaissance visit.


3) (C) Shell security chief indicated that plans were
afoot for the military to commence operations in the
delta within the next 48 hours. Speculation is that
these operations could begin as soon as Saturday
August 9 or early Monday morning August 11. Given
Sunday church services it was thought that the
possibility of collateral casualties would deter a
Sunday operation.


4) (C) In a separate conversation, CRO had been
informed that the Chief of Police was sending
approximately 100 hi-lux all terrain vehicles to the
Delta. Of note, these vehicles were purchased
purportedly by the Niger Delta Development Corp
(NDDC).



5. (C) Post will monitor situation closely and report
accordingly.


LIBERI