DELTA SITREP 3: BAYELSA DEPUTY GOVERNOR IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 001339 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 3: BAYELSA DEPUTY GOVERNOR IN NEGOTIATIONS FOR RELEASE REF: A. LAGOS 1332 ¶B. LAGOS 1338 LAGOS 00001339 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Consul Alan Latimer for Reasons 1.4 (B,D) ¶1. (C) Summary: American citizen James Brazel remains in captivity. The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State departed by boat at 11:30 AM November 3 for the villages of Ezetu and Ekeni Ezeatu 2, where the hostages are believed to be held. PGS has had no direct communication with the kidnappers, or received ransom demands from them. PGS, Armour Group and Control Risks (protect) agreed to meet daily at 4:00 PM with U.S. and U.K. diplomats. End Summary ¶2. (C) RSO and Pol/Econ Chief met November 3 with Tim Branch, Operations Manager PGS Onshore; Victor Boyd, Field Supervisor Petroleum Geo-Services Onshore (PGS); Peter Sharwood, Commercial Manager, Armor Group; and Tony Rogers and David Tampin, Control Risks (protect). PGS, Armour and Control Risks agreed to meet daily at 4:00 PM with U.S. and U.K. diplomats. ¶2. (C) The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State departed by boat at 11:30 AM November 3 for the villages of Ezetu and Ekeni Ezeatu 2, where the hostages are believed to be held. Branch said that the Deputy Governor told the company's security manager and local lawyer that he planned to return with the hostages. Rogers noted they support the Deputy Governor,s effort to secure the hostages release, but added they would likely engage with the Nigerian State Security Service if his visit was unsuccessful. ¶3. (C) Branch described the attack, which occurred at 12:10-12:30 AM on November 2. Two small boats carrying 10 men armed with AK47s, shotguns, pistols, a long barrel rifle, and hammers approached the barge MT Commander, a chartered vessel working five miles offshore. At the time of the incident, there were seventeen (17) expatriates of multiple nationalities on board the vessel. The barge was accompanied by two navy vessels, but the navy personnel hid from view during the attack. The attackers searched the crew quarters, but found only two doors unlocked, those of James Brazel, the U.S. citizen, and Martin Maddieson, the U.K. citizen. Only one shot, from a shotgun, was fired, when the attacker was startled by a crew member coming out of a door. The shot struck the roof and no one was injured. The attackers departed in their boats, mistakenly leaving one of their number, who was armed with a pistol and a hammer, behind. While the boats were returning to pick him up, an Armour Group representative engaged him in conversation. The navy security escort fired approximately 15 shots in the direction of the two boats as they left the second time. ¶4. (C) Branch also said that the hostages were taken to the vicinity of two villages, Ezetu and Ekeni Ezeatu 2, approximately 30 miles northwest of the location of the barge. The villagers were very upset when the attackers arrived with the hostages, Branch said. ¶5. (C) Branch advised that they have had no direct communication with the kidnappers, or received ransom demands from them. However, they did acknowledge being aware of unconfirmed reports that the attackers demanded a 40 million naira ransom from Chevron, only later including community-related programs in the demands. Branch speculated that the community-related demands were added by the attackers as a way to placate the community. ¶6. (C) One of the attackers is an individual who works on one of the six "chase" boats hired by the company to keep local fishermen away from the worksite. James Brazel, a mechanical supervisor, would have been familiar to anyone employed on the "chase" boats. ¶7. (C) Neither of the men had their cellphones with them when they were taken, and the villages where they are being held are an hour from the nearest landline phone service. Additionally, according to Branch and Boyd, there is no LAGOS 00001339 002.2 OF 002 cellular network in the region where the hostages have purportedly been taken. ¶8. PGS has decided its London office will be the primary point of contact for family liaison the two hostages, relatives. They reported being in contact with Brazel,s brother, who is currently located in South America. PGS,s London-based representative is Gehrig Schultz, who can be reached at 44 792 054-7798 (C) or 44 193 226-6500 (O). His email address is gehrig.schultz@pgsonshore.com BROWNE