Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAGOS1296
2006-10-20 16:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Lagos
Cable title:  

UNCONFIRMED REPORT OF DEATH OF U.K. NATIONAL HELD

Tags:  EPET ENERG ASEC PTER NI 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6078
OO RUEHPA
DE RUEHOS #1296 2931641
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 201641Z OCT 06
FM AMCONSUL LAGOS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8074
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA PRIORITY 7938
INFO RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH AFB UK
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 001296 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DOE FOR GPERSON, CGAY
TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS, SRENENDER, DFIELDS
COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS
STATE PASS USTR FOR ASST USTR SLISER
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD
STATE PASS OPIC FOR ZHAN AND MSTUCKART
STATE PASS TDA FOR NCABOT
STATE PASS EXIM FOR JRICHTER
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2016
TAGS: EPET ENERG ASEC PTER NI
SUBJECT: UNCONFIRMED REPORT OF DEATH OF U.K. NATIONAL HELD
HOSTAGE

REF: LAGOS 1294

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 001296

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DOE FOR GPERSON, CGAY
TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS, SRENENDER, DFIELDS
COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS
STATE PASS USTR FOR ASST USTR SLISER
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD
STATE PASS OPIC FOR ZHAN AND MSTUCKART
STATE PASS TDA FOR NCABOT
STATE PASS EXIM FOR JRICHTER
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2016
TAGS: EPET ENERG ASEC PTER NI
SUBJECT: UNCONFIRMED REPORT OF DEATH OF U.K. NATIONAL HELD
HOSTAGE

REF: LAGOS 1294

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


1. (C) According to an unconfirmed report, Paul Smith, a U.K.
national, died on October 19 following an illness. Smith,
one of seven hostages held by Niger Delta youths who attacked
an ExxonMobil residential complex on October 3, works for
Sparrows, a U.K. oil services company on contract to
ExxonMobil.


2. (C) Mark Staub of the ExxonMobil Incident Coordination
Team told Pol/Econ Chief that one of the hostages called the
U.K. office of Sparrows on the afternoon of October 19. The
hostage said Paul Smith had been ill, and when the others
tried to wake him, they discovered he had died. According to
Staub, the kidnappers later called the company to report the
death. The ExxonMobil Incident Coordinating Team, through
the Federal Government negotiator, has asked the kidnappers
to return the body. Arrangements were made to retrieve the
body, but the kidnappers told the group to return to the
rendezvous point the following day.


3. (C) In a conversation with the British High
Commissioner, Governor Victor Attah said that another of the
hostages might also be ill.


4. (C) Although the death has not been confirmed, the
ExxonMobil Incident Coordination Team believes rumors of the
death are circulating widely within the oil community.
BROWNE