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