EIGHT EXPATRIATES KIDNAPPED IN AKWA IBOM STATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 001254

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SIPDIS

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STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2016
TAGS: EPET ENERG ASEC PTER CASC NI
SUBJECT: EIGHT EXPATRIATES KIDNAPPED IN AKWA IBOM STATE

REF: LAGOS 1249

Classified By: Consul General Brian Browne for Reasons 1.4 (D,E)


1. (C) Summary: Eight expatriates, including four from the
United Kingdom, two from Malaysia, one from Romania and one
from India, were kidnapped October 3 in an attack on the
residential compound of Bristow Helicopters, a contractor for
ExxonMobil, in Akwa Ibom State. Two additional attacks on
Shell facilities, one on a barge near the Sambreiro River and
a second by armed youths on a boat near Shell's Abuloma Yard
in Rivers State, occurred on October 2. Shell reported
twenty-one civilians, unaccounted for after the October 2
incident, had been located. Post knows of no American
citizens involved in the kidnappings or attacks. Officers in
Abuja and Lagos remain in contact with their counterparts to
urge restraint and to deter, to the extent possible, any
spread of violent activity. End Summary.

Residential Compound Attacked, 7 Expats Kidnapped
-------------- --------------


2. (C) Eight expatriates, including four from the United
Kingdom, two from Malaysia, one from Romania and one from
India, were kidnapped in an attack on a residential compound
belonging to an aviation service contractor for ExxonMobil in
Esa Akpan, near Eket in Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday, October

3. A group calling themselves the "Niger Delta Students
Fighters" is suspected of the attack, but no militant group
has as yet claimed responsibility. The incident occurred
while the expatriates were in the bar located at the
compound. Three unknown Nigerians reportedly entered the bar
and attempted to join the expatriates. At approximately 9:00
PM, three additional unknown males entered, joined the first
three individuals, then began shooting. Reporting indicates
two contract security guards were killed and the expatriates
were taken hostage. According to Udom Inoyo, Executive
Director of Mobil Producing Nigeria, Governor Attah of Akwa
Ibom has been briefed on the incident, and the company is
looking to the Nigerian Government to take the lead in
resolving the incident. According to the British High
Commissioner, President Obasanjo has tasked Governor Attah
with establishing an ad-hoc security team to resolve the
kidnappings. The Deputy High Commissioner also stated there
had been a ranson demand of USD 10 million and the demand was
made on a phone belonging to one of the hostages. Beyond
that, there is no proof that the demandees are the actual
kidnappers.

More Attacks on Shell in Rivers State
--------------


3. (C) Shell's Regional External Affairs Manager Olav Lijosne
said a barge near the Sambreiro River was attacked at 1:40 PM
Tuesday October 3. Four Nigerians were killed and one
injured in the incident.


4. (C) Lijosne confirmed that, in a second October 3
incident, armed youths attacked army personnel accompanying a
Shell boat returning to the Abuloma Yard after a crew change.
The incident, which occurred around 2:20 PM, resulted in
serious injuries to one person, and light injuries to three
persons.

21 Nigerians Returned
--------------


5. (C) Lijosne also reported that twenty-one Nigerian
civilians unaccounted for in the Monday, October 2 incident
were released around 8:00 AM Wednesday, October 4. Lijosne
said that the number, which may include JTF boat operators,
is fewer than the number reported unaccounted for (25).



LAGOS 00001254 002 OF 002


Speedboat Purchases May Mean Other Attacks
--------------


6. (C) RSO indicates that purchases of speedboats by
militants have been reported; additional attacks in Bayelsa,
Delta and Rivers states are feared.


7. (C) Comment: Heretofore, Akwa Ibom has been a redoubt of
safety and relatively good security for ExxonMobil and its
contractors. However, this latest event means Akwa Ibom is
no longer detached from the turmoil in the rest of the Niger
Delta. Moreover, going into the residential compound
represents increased boldness on the part of the kidnappers.
Or perhaps they realized the operation would have a high
chance of success because security would be lax since there
has been no really significant militant activity in the area.
That the local guards were killed is disquieting. If the
Akwa Ibom attacks are in any manner linked to the attacks in
Rivers State, we may be seeing a new chapter unfolding where
the militants are much more ready to employ lethal force
against Nigerian military and security personnel. Again,
this could precipitate a backlash by the GON. Officers in
Abuja and Lagos remain in contact with their counterparts to
urge restraint and to deter, to the extent possible, any
spread of violent activity.
BROWNE