RIVERS STATE VIOLENCE ERUPTS IN OGONI LAND

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001900 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/02/2016 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL NI AF SUBJECT: RIVERS STATE VIOLENCE ERUPTS IN OGONI LAND Classified By: Political Counselor Russell J. Hanks for Reasons 1.4 (b and d) ¶1. (U) SUMMARY. A fresh wave of violence began in Rivers States on July 20, with six feared dead in Emohua and eight reported dead in Gokana. The violence appears to be between two rival gangs known as Degbam and Dewell, with each group killing several members from its rival. The fight is ultimately between two rival political leaders in the area, who control the gangs, and could serve as a harbinger for the 2007 elections. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) A fresh wave of violence began Rivers States on July 20, with the fighting centered on an Ogoni area of Rivers state. Six people were reportedly killed in Emohua and eight more deaths were reported in Gokana. According to residents, two groups engaged in battles beginning on July 20 and continuing for the next several days. They reported that the militants were armed with AK-47s and that security agents had chosen to remain out of range of the conflict. ¶3. (C) Police told the press that they have sent reinforcements to regain control of the area, but residents complain that the two gangs are operating unimpeded. One resident of Gokona told PolCouns that the Nigerian police were "hiding in their outpost." An NGO representative visited the area on Saturday and told PolCouns that he saw no visible security presence. He also stated that residents remained uneasy and that many had left the area to avoid the next round of conflict that everyone expects. ¶4. (C) Rivers State Finance Commissioner Kenneth Kobani is said to control Degbam and Rivers State Assembly Member Gabriel Pidomson is said to control Dewell. The two groups are subsidiaries of rival fraternal organizations and enjoy some support throughout the area based on these relationships. Kogani reportedly organized Degbam to support Peter Odili in the 2003 gubernatorial elections, and Pidomson founded Deewell for the same purpose. At the time, another organization was organized by the Federal Minister of Transportation Sekibo and headed by the now-fugitive Ateke Tom. In 2003, the groups cooperated but these two politicians split over 2007 electoral ambitions, with each rumored to be eyeing the governor's seat in Rivers. Kobani's house in Port Harcourt was recently bombed, and residents speculate that the current violence is likely in retaliation for that attack. ¶5. (C) COMMENT. Pidomson is reportedly in the U.S. now and it is possible that a stronger retaliation will begin on his return. With violence already increasing through most of the country, but especially in the East and the Delta area, the 2007 elections are shaping up to be even more contentious than the 2003 elections, in which most observers agreed that elections did not take place throughout most of these two regions. END COMMENT. FUREY