Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAGOS122
2006-01-27 19:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Lagos
Cable title:
OIL WORKER HOSTAGE UPDATE SITREP #17
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. 271950Z Jan 06
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000122
SIPDIS
STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS JBRODMAN AND CGAY
TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS AND SRENENDER
COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ
STATE FOR DS/IP/AF, AF/EX, DS/IP/OPO, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/ITA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2016
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER KHLS PINR ETRD CASC NI
SUBJECT: OIL WORKER HOSTAGE UPDATE SITREP #17
REF: A. LAGOS 102 AND PREVIOUS
B. LAGOS 101
C. LAGOS 90
D. ABUJA 120
Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reasons 1.4 (D & E)
-------
SUMMARY
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000122
SIPDIS
STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS JBRODMAN AND CGAY
TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS AND SRENENDER
COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ
STATE FOR DS/IP/AF, AF/EX, DS/IP/OPO, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/ITA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2016
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER KHLS PINR ETRD CASC NI
SUBJECT: OIL WORKER HOSTAGE UPDATE SITREP #17
REF: A. LAGOS 102 AND PREVIOUS
B. LAGOS 101
C. LAGOS 90
D. ABUJA 120
Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reasons 1.4 (D & E)
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) The Bayelsa State Secretary of Government (SSG),Dr.
Igali, informed us that the kidnappers have agreed to release
the hostages to him at a location he would not disclose.
Both the Bayelsa SSG and Ecodrill Country Manager Peter
Quiatkowski's intermediaries said the hostages are in good
health and have access to a local doctor. We have
temporarily suspended the use of Quiatkowski's intermediaries
to contact the hostage-takers for the time being. Mission is
finalizing hostage repatriation contingency plans while, in
case Dr. Igali is not successful, also developing a plan of
action to pursue leads and to utilize whatever appropriate
leverage we can bring to bear to usher this situation to a
safe, nonviolent resolution. End summary.
--------------
HOSTAGE WELFARE UPDATE:
BREAKING NEWS OF POSSIBLE RESOLUTION
--------------
2. (C) In a late afternoon meeting with Conoff, Bayelsa SSG
was exceptionally optimistic the hostages would be freed
soon. During the discussion, three people identifying
themselves as affiliated with the kidnappers visited the SSG,
telling him they would call around midnight to arrange
pick-up. (Note: Conoff was given the impression that the
three people were somehow linked with the committee of five
"go-betweens"/negotiators currently dealing with the Bayelsa
government. End note.)
3. (C) Conoff heard the SSG make arrangements for several
vehicles to be ready to pick-up the hostages. The SSG said
the plan was to return with the hostages to government house
in Yenagoa at which time the hostages would be handed over to
Shell company officials.
4. (C) The SSG agreed to inform us as soon as he secured
custody of the hostages. He was fairly certain the release
point would be around Kaiama, but the three captors did not
confirm this.
5. (C) While intimating some sort of agreement had been
reached for freeing the hostages, the SSG did not disclose
the terms of said agreement.
6. (C) The SSG confirmed former Bayelsa Assembly Speaker
Boye Debekeme was arrested for being an accomplice to Abel
Ebifemowei, the former governor's transportation officer,
whom the Nigerians suspect of being the architect of the
kidnapping. The SSG was impatient to hear USG action on
Ebifemowei, and said Emmanuel Akomaye, Abuja chairman of the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),was awaiting
a call from us regarding a warrant.
7. (C) The SSG said he would not be accompanied by any
reporters or military to the prospective hostage release
point. He will be the only senior official present.
9. (C) We are in contact with Shell and the British for
preliminary medical check-ups and onward air transportation
of the hostages to Lagos (via Warri) should the quartet be
released. The SSG has so far made it seem as if the hostages
would be free to leave the country once released.
--------------
THURSDAY EVENING...CONTINUED ASSURANCES
OF WELL-BEING AND IMMINENT RELEASE
--------------
10. (C) Yesterday, SSG allowed Conoff to listen to a
conference call with Hendricks Opukeme, one of the group of
five Bayelsa negotiators. Opukeme said he and Kennedy
Onibebe, another negotiator, had seen the kidnappers on
Wednesday, and were told that an unidentified local doctor
had examined the hostages. Opukeme also said they were
"...working on tomorrow" for their release. UK Conoff, who
also listened to the conference call, said Opukeme reported
the captors were increasingly nervous and wanted to release
the hostages to Bayelsa State government officials, but
feared military reprisals.
11. (C) The SSG also said the State Security Service (SSS)
was working with the Niger Delta Development Commission
(NDDC) to negotiate with the kidnappers, who do not want to
deal with the federal government. NDDC Manager of Community
and Rural Development, Patterson Ogon, confirmed NDDC
involvement as a "regional intervention agency." (Comment:
Ogon's claim is a bit fatuous as most people see the NDDC as
an instrument of the federal government. End comment.)
--------------
FAMILY APPEALS UPDATE
--------------
12. (C) Scotland Yard is considering the efficacy of each
hostage family drafting a letter appealing for the hostages'
release, for delivery to the kidnappers.
--------------
UPDATE ON ALTERNATIVE LINES OF COMMUNICATION
--------------
13. (C) Ecodrill Country Manager Peter Quiatkowski spoke to
one of his intermediaries, who confirmed the kidnappers have
moved camp again, this time somewhere in Bayelsa along its
border with Rivers State. The move apparently was
precipitated by a military plane fly over of the prior
location. The intermediary said the hostages were fine, but
one, assumed to be Patrick Landry, was not as well as the
others.
--------------
REPATRIATION PLAN UPDATE
--------------
14. (C) Shell reiterated standing airline reservations are
in place for all four hostages and they are renewed daily.
USG, HMG, and industry group are also addressing remaining
gaps in repatriation planning in the case the hostages are
not released in Bayelsa State (in Delta State, for example).
--------------
MILITARY UPDATE
--------------
15. (C) No military action appears imminent however reports
of deployment of additional troops to the Delta area are
reaching the kidnappers and appear to be affecting their
resolve.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
16. (C) The late Friday news is an optimistic sign, and we
hope Dr. Igali is not being manipulated by the kidnappers.
We have previously heard other optimistic forecasts which did
not come true. However, this time we are seeing signs that
the GON negotiating team, spearheaded by Dr. Igali, is in
continuous contact with the kidnappers. The prudent course
is to rely on that mechanism in hopes that the release of the
hostages is imminent. However, we will also continue to
investigate additional sources of information and lines of
communication to effect the hostages' release just in case
their release not effectuated tonight. End comment.
BROWNE
SIPDIS
STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS JBRODMAN AND CGAY
TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS AND SRENENDER
COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ
STATE FOR DS/IP/AF, AF/EX, DS/IP/OPO, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/ITA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2016
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER KHLS PINR ETRD CASC NI
SUBJECT: OIL WORKER HOSTAGE UPDATE SITREP #17
REF: A. LAGOS 102 AND PREVIOUS
B. LAGOS 101
C. LAGOS 90
D. ABUJA 120
Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reasons 1.4 (D & E)
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) The Bayelsa State Secretary of Government (SSG),Dr.
Igali, informed us that the kidnappers have agreed to release
the hostages to him at a location he would not disclose.
Both the Bayelsa SSG and Ecodrill Country Manager Peter
Quiatkowski's intermediaries said the hostages are in good
health and have access to a local doctor. We have
temporarily suspended the use of Quiatkowski's intermediaries
to contact the hostage-takers for the time being. Mission is
finalizing hostage repatriation contingency plans while, in
case Dr. Igali is not successful, also developing a plan of
action to pursue leads and to utilize whatever appropriate
leverage we can bring to bear to usher this situation to a
safe, nonviolent resolution. End summary.
--------------
HOSTAGE WELFARE UPDATE:
BREAKING NEWS OF POSSIBLE RESOLUTION
--------------
2. (C) In a late afternoon meeting with Conoff, Bayelsa SSG
was exceptionally optimistic the hostages would be freed
soon. During the discussion, three people identifying
themselves as affiliated with the kidnappers visited the SSG,
telling him they would call around midnight to arrange
pick-up. (Note: Conoff was given the impression that the
three people were somehow linked with the committee of five
"go-betweens"/negotiators currently dealing with the Bayelsa
government. End note.)
3. (C) Conoff heard the SSG make arrangements for several
vehicles to be ready to pick-up the hostages. The SSG said
the plan was to return with the hostages to government house
in Yenagoa at which time the hostages would be handed over to
Shell company officials.
4. (C) The SSG agreed to inform us as soon as he secured
custody of the hostages. He was fairly certain the release
point would be around Kaiama, but the three captors did not
confirm this.
5. (C) While intimating some sort of agreement had been
reached for freeing the hostages, the SSG did not disclose
the terms of said agreement.
6. (C) The SSG confirmed former Bayelsa Assembly Speaker
Boye Debekeme was arrested for being an accomplice to Abel
Ebifemowei, the former governor's transportation officer,
whom the Nigerians suspect of being the architect of the
kidnapping. The SSG was impatient to hear USG action on
Ebifemowei, and said Emmanuel Akomaye, Abuja chairman of the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),was awaiting
a call from us regarding a warrant.
7. (C) The SSG said he would not be accompanied by any
reporters or military to the prospective hostage release
point. He will be the only senior official present.
9. (C) We are in contact with Shell and the British for
preliminary medical check-ups and onward air transportation
of the hostages to Lagos (via Warri) should the quartet be
released. The SSG has so far made it seem as if the hostages
would be free to leave the country once released.
--------------
THURSDAY EVENING...CONTINUED ASSURANCES
OF WELL-BEING AND IMMINENT RELEASE
--------------
10. (C) Yesterday, SSG allowed Conoff to listen to a
conference call with Hendricks Opukeme, one of the group of
five Bayelsa negotiators. Opukeme said he and Kennedy
Onibebe, another negotiator, had seen the kidnappers on
Wednesday, and were told that an unidentified local doctor
had examined the hostages. Opukeme also said they were
"...working on tomorrow" for their release. UK Conoff, who
also listened to the conference call, said Opukeme reported
the captors were increasingly nervous and wanted to release
the hostages to Bayelsa State government officials, but
feared military reprisals.
11. (C) The SSG also said the State Security Service (SSS)
was working with the Niger Delta Development Commission
(NDDC) to negotiate with the kidnappers, who do not want to
deal with the federal government. NDDC Manager of Community
and Rural Development, Patterson Ogon, confirmed NDDC
involvement as a "regional intervention agency." (Comment:
Ogon's claim is a bit fatuous as most people see the NDDC as
an instrument of the federal government. End comment.)
--------------
FAMILY APPEALS UPDATE
--------------
12. (C) Scotland Yard is considering the efficacy of each
hostage family drafting a letter appealing for the hostages'
release, for delivery to the kidnappers.
--------------
UPDATE ON ALTERNATIVE LINES OF COMMUNICATION
--------------
13. (C) Ecodrill Country Manager Peter Quiatkowski spoke to
one of his intermediaries, who confirmed the kidnappers have
moved camp again, this time somewhere in Bayelsa along its
border with Rivers State. The move apparently was
precipitated by a military plane fly over of the prior
location. The intermediary said the hostages were fine, but
one, assumed to be Patrick Landry, was not as well as the
others.
--------------
REPATRIATION PLAN UPDATE
--------------
14. (C) Shell reiterated standing airline reservations are
in place for all four hostages and they are renewed daily.
USG, HMG, and industry group are also addressing remaining
gaps in repatriation planning in the case the hostages are
not released in Bayelsa State (in Delta State, for example).
--------------
MILITARY UPDATE
--------------
15. (C) No military action appears imminent however reports
of deployment of additional troops to the Delta area are
reaching the kidnappers and appear to be affecting their
resolve.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
16. (C) The late Friday news is an optimistic sign, and we
hope Dr. Igali is not being manipulated by the kidnappers.
We have previously heard other optimistic forecasts which did
not come true. However, this time we are seeing signs that
the GON negotiating team, spearheaded by Dr. Igali, is in
continuous contact with the kidnappers. The prudent course
is to rely on that mechanism in hopes that the release of the
hostages is imminent. However, we will also continue to
investigate additional sources of information and lines of
communication to effect the hostages' release just in case
their release not effectuated tonight. End comment.
BROWNE