Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAGOS1136
2006-08-25 15:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Lagos
Cable title:
MILITANTS TAKE TWO HOSTAGES AFTER FIGHT WITH
how-toVZCZCXRO1400 RR RUEHDE RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHOS #1136 2371517 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 251517Z AUG 06 FM AMCONSUL LAGOS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7833 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHHH/OPEC COLLECTIVE RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 7767 RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 1134 RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHDC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH AFB UK RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
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
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
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