DELTA SITREP #7

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 001121

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS GPERSON AND CGAY
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2016
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER CASC NI
SUBJECT: DELTA SITREP #7


Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reasons 1.4 (D & E)

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HOSTAGE WELFARE UPDATE
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1. (C) SSS continues to negotiate with the kidnappers.
Governor Odili told us that the talks had hit a momentary
pause because of some disagreement among the kidnappers.
Apparently, the kidnappers are somewhat factionalized and
discussions were being conducted with both factions. Now, a
single track has been reestablished. An obviously tired
Governor Odili said the release was NOW imminent, perhaps as
early as tonight.


2. (C) SSS negotiators, still focusing on an immediate
release, have not forwarded proof of life questions to the
kidnappers. Nor are we sure that medicines have been passed.
We again raised with Governor Odili the need to pass
medicine to protect the health of the hostages, especially
from malaria and in the case of Amcit Royce Anthony, to avoid
complications due to hypertension.


3. (C) Security consultants for the affected companies
continue to rely on the Director of Rivers State SSS as their
point of contact. (Note: The security consultants gave the
POL questions to the SSS on Sunday but SSS withheld them
because they thought release was imminent. End Note.)
Additionally, the security consultants will contemplate
establishing an alternate line of communication if the SSS
proves unable or unwilling to deliver the POL questions or
provide new information within the next few days.


4. (C) Prior to yesterday,s incident in which several of
his men were killed by Nigerian soldiers, FNDIC militant
leader Tom Polo reportedly sent a message to the kidnappers
threatening to seize the hostages from the group if they had
not voluntarily released the hostages within 48 hours.
According to Dr. Godknows Igali, Bayelsa Secretary of State
Government, Tom Polo was originally incensed at learning of
the death of his fighters. Evidently, Polo held a meeting
last night with his top lieutenants. Retaliation was
discussed but ultimately discarded, Igali believed. However,
Igali was less sanguine that Tom Polo would NOW take an
active role in dissuading other Ijaw groups from seizing
hostages. Prominent Ijaw Chief Edwin Clark stated he had
been primed to issue a statement condemning kidnapping.
However, yesterday,s incident changed his mind. He felt
President Obasanjo,s statements threatening police action
against Delta militants had encouraged the military to be
overly aggressive, indirectly leading to yesterday,s violent
encounters.

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MILITARY UPDATE
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5. (C) According to Igali, 17 people were killed in
yesterday,s skirmish. Twelve were Tom Polo,s men, the rest
were community leaders, including an Ijaw traditional ruler.
Apparently, this was an unfortunate accident. While on their
way to release the shell employee to the Bayelsa Government,
Tom Polo,s men encountered five Nigerian military Joint Task
Force (JTF) patrol vessels that were escorting a
barge*operated by Shell. The militants claim the JTF
personnel opened fire without warning. Shell is concerned
that it will be blamed and that militant ire may direct
itself at Shell.

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COMMENT
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LAGOS 00001121 002 OF 002



6. (C) The tragic firefight between the JTF patrols and the
militants has further sullied the atmosphere in the Delta.
Tom Polo and his men are indignant their colleagues were
killed in the act of doing something good. Shell is uneasy.
More importantly, the shooting will register deeply with the
hostage takers. In addition to their ransom demands, they
most likely will seek assurances against attack should they
free their captive sextet. END COMMENT.
BROWNE