Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ABUJA2031
2005-10-23 13:19:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
SITREP #1 - 10/23/2005 1130 HOURS
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 002031
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/CC, DS/IP, DS/IP/AF, AF/EX, AF/W
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2006
TAGS: ASEC AEMR AMGT CASC NI BELLVIEW
SUBJECT: SITREP #1 - 10/23/2005 1130 HOURS
REF: A. ABUJA 2029
B. LAGOS 1643
Classified By: ARSO Rich Verrier for reason 1.4 (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 002031
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/CC, DS/IP, DS/IP/AF, AF/EX, AF/W
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2006
TAGS: ASEC AEMR AMGT CASC NI BELLVIEW
SUBJECT: SITREP #1 - 10/23/2005 1130 HOURS
REF: A. ABUJA 2029
B. LAGOS 1643
Classified By: ARSO Rich Verrier for reason 1.4 (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: The EAC reconvened and was chaired by
Ambassador Campbell. Nigerian officials originally declared
that Bellview flight B3-210 crashed in the Atlantic Ocean but
have now stated that it crashed in Oyo state. The suspected
place of impact is well northwest of the flight plan. This
has led to speculation that the flight was hijacked but Post
is unable to confirm this information. Bellview airways held
a press conference and read the names listed on the manifest.
The Bellview spokesperson read Joe Haydon's name from the
list. DAO GON Military contacts stated that there were no
survivors on the B3-210 flight however, at a later time, it
was reported that there were survivors but Post has been
unable to confirm this information with eyewitness reports.
--------------
WHO WAS ON BOARD
--------------
2. (C) It had been reported that the Israeli Ambassador to
Nigeria was on board however a review of the manifest was
conducted and his name was not on the list. It was also
earlier reported that the Nigerian Inspector General of
Police for the National Police service --but RSO Abuja was
able to contact the Personal Staff Officer who confirmed that
the IGP was not on the flight-- and other high ranking
Nigerian government officials, senior ECOWAS officials to
include Executive Secretary, General Diawara and a couple of
British expatriates were on board the flight. Post has
received a fax copy of the manifest in document form and will
be checking the list of passengers for AmCits and other
notables.
--------------
RESCUE EFFORTS
--------------
3. (C) It now appears that the official Nigerian sea search
and rescue teams have stood down. Post is not aware of what
actions the Federal Aviation Administration of Nigeria (FAAN)
has taken in response to the reported inland crash site. The
Management section is looking into the possibility of
chartering helicopter support to ferry out supplies and USG
personnel should the situation warrant such actions.
--------------
EMBASSY AND CONSULATE CONSULAR RECOVERY TEAMS
--------------
4. (SBU) The Consulate in Lagos has sent a team to the area
of the crash, although we are not aware of the actual crash
site. We believe it may be in Essie, Karwawa state. Embassy
Abuja is likely going to send two vehicles to the area while
we actively try to get an exact location. Representatives
from DOD, Consular, RSO will respond to the site. RSO Office
is reaching out to their contacts to have the teams gain
access to the crash site. Post is sending a casket and body
bags with the React Teams.
--------------
SUPPORT FOR THE FAMILY AND POST
--------------
5. (SBU) Post's Nurse Practitioner stayed the entire night
with the family of Major Haydon, at his residence. The senior
US Military official in the Nigeria, DATT Colonel Sue Ann
Sandusky also spent a majority of the night with the Haydon
family as well. Post has made contact with the Department to
expedite the arrival of Regional Psychiatrist Barry Levine
from Nairobi and is working with the GON to have Dr. Levine
receive an airport visa, which is against normal protocol.
Once Post has officially determined that Major Haydon's
mother and father have been notified the DOD Casualty
Assistance team will step up their efforts in support of the
Haydon's.
--------------
AIRPORT OPERATIONS LAGOS AND ABUJA
--------------
6. (U) The airport in Abuja is open but we are receiving
conflicting reports of the operations of the airport in
Lagos. Although no official word has been issued by the GON
Post is receiving reports that the Lagos domestic terminal is
closed while the international terminal is open. Assistant
Secretary Frazer has landed in Lagos.
SIPDIS
--------------
KEY CONCERNS
--------------
7. (C) Also of concern to Post is that one of President
Obsanjo's wives, Stella, died in Spain. A serious concern is
that some of President's closest advisors and allies were on
the B3-210 and that the flight was allegedly way off its
normal course. Interestingly a number of dissidents in Lagos
have been arrested. It is unclear if the arrests are in
response to the crash of flight B3-210.
CAMPBELL
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/CC, DS/IP, DS/IP/AF, AF/EX, AF/W
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2006
TAGS: ASEC AEMR AMGT CASC NI BELLVIEW
SUBJECT: SITREP #1 - 10/23/2005 1130 HOURS
REF: A. ABUJA 2029
B. LAGOS 1643
Classified By: ARSO Rich Verrier for reason 1.4 (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: The EAC reconvened and was chaired by
Ambassador Campbell. Nigerian officials originally declared
that Bellview flight B3-210 crashed in the Atlantic Ocean but
have now stated that it crashed in Oyo state. The suspected
place of impact is well northwest of the flight plan. This
has led to speculation that the flight was hijacked but Post
is unable to confirm this information. Bellview airways held
a press conference and read the names listed on the manifest.
The Bellview spokesperson read Joe Haydon's name from the
list. DAO GON Military contacts stated that there were no
survivors on the B3-210 flight however, at a later time, it
was reported that there were survivors but Post has been
unable to confirm this information with eyewitness reports.
--------------
WHO WAS ON BOARD
--------------
2. (C) It had been reported that the Israeli Ambassador to
Nigeria was on board however a review of the manifest was
conducted and his name was not on the list. It was also
earlier reported that the Nigerian Inspector General of
Police for the National Police service --but RSO Abuja was
able to contact the Personal Staff Officer who confirmed that
the IGP was not on the flight-- and other high ranking
Nigerian government officials, senior ECOWAS officials to
include Executive Secretary, General Diawara and a couple of
British expatriates were on board the flight. Post has
received a fax copy of the manifest in document form and will
be checking the list of passengers for AmCits and other
notables.
--------------
RESCUE EFFORTS
--------------
3. (C) It now appears that the official Nigerian sea search
and rescue teams have stood down. Post is not aware of what
actions the Federal Aviation Administration of Nigeria (FAAN)
has taken in response to the reported inland crash site. The
Management section is looking into the possibility of
chartering helicopter support to ferry out supplies and USG
personnel should the situation warrant such actions.
--------------
EMBASSY AND CONSULATE CONSULAR RECOVERY TEAMS
--------------
4. (SBU) The Consulate in Lagos has sent a team to the area
of the crash, although we are not aware of the actual crash
site. We believe it may be in Essie, Karwawa state. Embassy
Abuja is likely going to send two vehicles to the area while
we actively try to get an exact location. Representatives
from DOD, Consular, RSO will respond to the site. RSO Office
is reaching out to their contacts to have the teams gain
access to the crash site. Post is sending a casket and body
bags with the React Teams.
--------------
SUPPORT FOR THE FAMILY AND POST
--------------
5. (SBU) Post's Nurse Practitioner stayed the entire night
with the family of Major Haydon, at his residence. The senior
US Military official in the Nigeria, DATT Colonel Sue Ann
Sandusky also spent a majority of the night with the Haydon
family as well. Post has made contact with the Department to
expedite the arrival of Regional Psychiatrist Barry Levine
from Nairobi and is working with the GON to have Dr. Levine
receive an airport visa, which is against normal protocol.
Once Post has officially determined that Major Haydon's
mother and father have been notified the DOD Casualty
Assistance team will step up their efforts in support of the
Haydon's.
--------------
AIRPORT OPERATIONS LAGOS AND ABUJA
--------------
6. (U) The airport in Abuja is open but we are receiving
conflicting reports of the operations of the airport in
Lagos. Although no official word has been issued by the GON
Post is receiving reports that the Lagos domestic terminal is
closed while the international terminal is open. Assistant
Secretary Frazer has landed in Lagos.
SIPDIS
--------------
KEY CONCERNS
--------------
7. (C) Also of concern to Post is that one of President
Obsanjo's wives, Stella, died in Spain. A serious concern is
that some of President's closest advisors and allies were on
the B3-210 and that the flight was allegedly way off its
normal course. Interestingly a number of dissidents in Lagos
have been arrested. It is unclear if the arrests are in
response to the crash of flight B3-210.
CAMPBELL