DELTA SITREP #8

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 001127 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 #8 Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reasons 1.4 (D & E) -------------- HOSTAGE WELFARE UPDATE -------------- ¶1. (C) After days of our prodding, SSS negotiators finally have begun passing proof of life (POL) questions to the kidnappers. Yesterday, the captives provided a correct proof of life answer for British hostage John Guyan. SSS told the security consultants of the affected companies that they expected a response today to the POL for Amcit Royce Parfait. There has been no proof of delivery of any medicinal or other humanitarian supplies to the hostages. -------------- HOSTAGE NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE -------------- ¶2. (C) Senator Brigidi of Bayelsa State made overtures to the security consultants offering his services as a new line of communication to the kidnappers. As previously reported, Brigidi was instrumental in the release of the German hostage over the weekend and has been involved in negotiations of prior cases in Bayelsa State. He has access to and is trusted by many of the Ijaw militant groups. On behalf of the security consultant team, Halliburton,s Peter Packham met Senator Brigidi. Brigidi claimed Rivers Governor Odili has given him the green light to mediate with the kidnappers. -------------- MILITARY UPDATE -------------- ¶3. (C) There are no updates to the military activities in the Niger Delta except reports that helicopter patrols over Port Harcourt and its environs have become more frequent. BROWNE