TROOPS SILENCE BAYELSA RADIO, RAID GOVERNMENT HOUSE

UNCLAS LAGOS 001820

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W
STATE FOR INR/AA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV NI
SUBJECT: TROOPS SILENCE BAYELSA RADIO, RAID GOVERNMENT HOUSE

REF: LAGOS 1814 AND PREVIOUS


1. (SBU) The political crisis in Bayelsa intensified
Wednesday morning when Federal troops occupied the
state-owned radio station, Bayelsa Radio, and shut it down.
Station workers were turned away when they reported to work
early Wednesday. Media sources quoted Bayelsa State
officials denouncing the move as an assault on press freedom
"...in furtherance of the attempted civilian coup d'etat."
Federal authorities issued no explanation of the move, but
Mission sources indicate the move was intended to silence
broadcasts deemed to be inciting the Bayelsa populace against
the Federal Government.


2. (SBU) Federal troops also occupied the governor's offices
at the Bayelsa Government House and searched the premises and
all personnel. Some reports indicated the troops were
searching for weapons stockpiled at the site, while others
say the target was incriminating documents.


3. (U) Governor Alamieyeseigha spent the day at his country
home in Amassoma, northwest of Yenagoa.
BROWNE