OIL WORKER HOSTAGE UPDATE SITREP #18 - NO RELEASE

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000123

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 #18 - NO RELEASE

REF: LAGOS 122 AND PREVIOUS

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


1. (C) The four oil service company hostages were not
released. Bayelsa Secretary of the State Government Dr.
Igali told Conoff he received a call after midnight that the
three associates of the kidnappers had left Warri, Delta
State, to pick-up the hostages. However, by three a.m., Dr.
Igali received another call that the release could not go
forward because the kidnappers were wary of the presence of
GON military boats in the area. SSG Igali is making
arrangements to reduce the number of GON boats on patrol so
that the release can take place this evening.


2. (C) Post will submit an additional sitrep later today
once we have more details regarding the release operation
planned for tonight.
BROWNE