DELTA SITREP #3

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 001105 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS GPERSON AND CGAY STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2016 TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER CASC NI SUBJECT: DELTA SITREP #3 REF: LAGOS 1103 Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reasons 1.4 (D & E) -------------- No Communication with Port Harcourt Kidnappers -------------- - ¶1. (C) Consulate General personnel communicated with GON, state government, NGOs, and other Niger Delta contacts to try and learn more about the Goodfellas kidnapping and avenues for contact and negotiation. Halliburton Nigeria Country Manager Steve Segota reported the Nigerian State Security Service (SSS) claimed to have received a ransom demand of 100 million naira (about 781,000 USD). SSS is attempting to ascertain if the demand is genuine. Rivers State Governor Odili told us that contact with the kidnappers had been made and a ransom demand presented. He did not specify the amount. He stated the kidnappers also requested the release of jailed Ijaw militant leader Dokubo Asari. Odili thought this latter demand was just an artifice intended to cover what he described as naked criminality devoid of a genuine political grievance. (Comment: There was an edginess in Odili's voice. He probably sees this as unwanted publicity and an unwanted test of his crisis management abilities just as the electoral jockeying begins. With an eye on his presidential ambitions, he will want this situation resolved quickly. End comment.) ¶2. (C) Although we have received no reports suggesting any harm has come to the six Goodfellas hostages, we have also not received any proof of life. ¶3. (C) After meeting with oil company representatives on August 14, Governor Odili is also aware that the travel restrictions and staff reductions imposed by the companies may start to attenuate oil production if these continue for several weeks. ¶4. (C) Ijaw human rights activist Oronto Douglas attributed the kidnapping to followers of militant leader Asari who are frustrated by his continued incarceration. Saying he talked to Asari last night, Douglas recounted the militant leader confirming some of his men were the culprits. Asari stated he had passed instructions that the hostages should be released. Asari expected the hostages to be released in the next few days, according to Douglas. Despite Asari's calm assurance, Douglas viewed the matter as more complicated. He stated the kidnappers knew that Asari's release could not be effectuated by kidnapping expatriates. Thus, there was a definite financial angle to their action. However, this might not have been done simply to make money but to make money and register a psychological jolt on the GON and oil industry. In this fashion, the militants would also be staking out a reputation for themselves, Douglas surmised. -------------- More Kidnappings In Bayelsa State? -------------- ¶5. (SBU) We have received several reports that one or two expatriates, possibly Lebanese nationals, were kidnapped in Bayelsa State today. The Bayelsa State police commissioner confirmed to RSO that one expatriate was kidnapped. In what appears to be another account of the same crime, a Rivers State government contact claimed two expatriates were taken near Mbiama, Bayelsa State. We are attempting to confirm these accounts and identify the victim(s). -------------- Norwegians, Ukrainians Released -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The August 15 release was confirmed of the four Trico Marine hostages, two Norwegians and two Ukrainians, taken from the vessel Northern Comrade, on August 8. -------------- Consular Update -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Consulate General personnel communicated with representatives of those companies affected by the kidnappings to reiterate the need for the companies to identify any potential medical or other complications their employees might have. Officials of companies in the oil sector told RSO their personnel based in the Niger Delta are under strict travel and curfew restrictions. Security experts/hostage negotiators hired by the companies whose employees were taken hostage arrived in Port Harcourt today (August 16). Halliburton will host meetings in their Port Harcourt facility. -------------- Media Update -------------- ¶8. (U) Nigerian dailies reported President Obasanjo called the recent spate of kidnappings in the Delta "unacceptable" and directed military and police to respond to "force with force." The President reportedly banned payment of any form of ransom by government, industry, or other organizations, and said communities harboring hostage-takers would be treated as accomplices. He called the hostage-taking a form of terrorism. News sources also reported the arraignment of four persons for the July attack and kidnapping from Conoil facilities in Bayelsa State. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶9. (C) We continue our coordination efforts with the GON, diplomatic missions, and companies to ascertain proof of life and to identify any medical conditions or supplies needed by the hostages. End comment. BROWNE