MILITANTS TAKE TWO HOSTAGES AFTER FIGHT WITH

UNCLAS LAGOS 001136 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS GPERSON AND CGAY STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER CASC NI SUBJECT: MILITANTS TAKE TWO HOSTAGES AFTER FIGHT WITH MILITARY, AMCIT DEPARTED ¶1. (SBU) The lull in kidnappings had a very brief life. Even before the six hostages released on August 23 could depart the country, another incident occurred in Port Harcourt. Two expatriates were taken hostage in Port Harcourt last night after fighting broke out between mobile police forces and militants at a local market. Two men, one Italian, the other,s nationality is unknown to us, were employees of Saipem, an oil service contractor working for AGIP, an affiliate of Italian oil major ENI. Apparently disregarding warnings issued by the companies to remain indoors during the evenings, the expatriates may have been drinking with the mobile police when the incident took place. Sources believe one army sergeant and one militant were killed during the fight. After the militants fled the market with their hostages, additional soldiers appeared, reportedly razing a section of the market. While this could be just an unfortunate circumstance, we suspect this was a targeted kidnapping. ¶2. (SBU) Amcit Royce Parfait departed Lagos August 24 without incident. He is en route to Chattanooga, currently awaiting his connection flight at Charles de Gaulle. Embassy Paris is aware of his presence. BROWNE