DELTA SITREP 2: AMERICAN CITIZEN REMAINS IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 001338 SIPDIS SIPDIS DOE FOR GPERSON, CGAY TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS, SRENENDER, DFIELDS COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2016 TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER CASC NI SUBJECT: DELTA SITREP 2: AMERICAN CITIZEN REMAINS IN CAPTIVITY REF: LAGOS 1332 Classified By: Consul Alan Latimer for Reasons 1.4 (B,D) ¶1. (C) Summary: American citizen Jim Nelson Brazel and Martin Madison, a citizen of the U.K., remain in captivity according to Armour Group, security consultants to Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS),a Norwegian oil exploration firm under contract to Chevron. The location of the hostages is believed to be known, as is the identity, by name, of two of the kidnappers. The Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta has denied involvement. End Summary. ¶2. (C) American citizen Jim Nelson Brazel and Martin Madison, a citizen of the U.K., remain in captivity according to Armour Group, security consultants to Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS),a Norwegian oil exploration firm under contract to Chevron. On November 2, Armour Group brought in Tony Rogers, a Control Risk Group (CRG) kidnapping consultant (strictly protect),who arrived the evening of November 2. Rogers, who has experience with kidnappings in Nigeria having worked at the headquarters level in London during the kidnapping of two Filipino workers earlier this year, will operate through Armour Group while in country. ¶3. (C) The hostages were held initially at the community of Ezutu 2, then later moved to the community of Ezutu 1. The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State is traveling to the location. The Bayelsa State division of the Special State Security (SSS) has advised PGS to let the government take the lead in negotiations with the kidnappers. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has disavowed the attack. ¶4. (C) At the time of the kidnapping, the GSF Nigerian navy personnel hid themselves out of sight. During the assault, only one shot was fired when a youth was startled by the sudden appearance of a crew member in a doorway. No one was injured. The attack was not well planned or executed, according to Armour Group. When the youths left the barge, they initially forgot to take one of the hostages, and had to return to the barge in their boat. When the kidnappers' boat left the barge, the GSF reappeared, and fired 13 rounds at the disappearing boat. ¶5. (C) Armour Group and PGS met briefly on November 2 with the Deputy British High Commissioner, and will meet today with Regional Security Officer and Pol-Econ Chief. ¶6. (C) RSO received an unconfirmed report that the youths made demands for a program of microcredit for women, new generator sets for both the Ezetu 1 and 2 communities, restitution for past oil spills, fishing rights, and ransom. BROWNE