Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAGOS1376
2006-11-24 15:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Lagos
Cable title:
BRITON KILLED, ITALIAN INJURED IN
how-toVZCZCXRO7920 OO RUEHPA DE RUEHOS #1376 3281553 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 241553Z NOV 06 FM AMCONSUL LAGOS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8197 RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA PRIORITY 8051 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0748 RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY 1179 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 001376
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: 11/24/2016
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER PINR ETRD CASC NI
SUBJECT: BRITON KILLED, ITALIAN INJURED IN
MILITANT-MILITARY CROSSFIRE
REF: LAGOS 1375
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 001376
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: 11/24/2016
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER PINR ETRD CASC NI
SUBJECT: BRITON KILLED, ITALIAN INJURED IN
MILITANT-MILITARY CROSSFIRE
REF: LAGOS 1375
Classified By: Consul General Brian Browne for Reasons 1.4 (D & E)
1. (C) The British hostage kidnapped from AGIP's FPSO
Mystras vessel November 22 was killed during a fusillade
between the hostage-takers and a military patrol boat the day
of the kidnapping. The six other hostages were freed as a
result of this encounter. AGIP's Deputy Managing Director,
Akin Aruwajoye, told POLOFF on November 24 the Italian
national was seriously injured and is now in Italy receiving
medical attention. Aruwajoye said the other five
hostages--one Romanian, a Filipino, a Pole, and two
Finns--were not injured but have left the country. An
unconfirmed number of militants, media reports suggest two
while Poloff's contacts believe more, were killed during the
fight. Some government soldiers also lost their lives.
According to David Harries of the British Deputy High
Commission, AGIP's security company SOS plans to hold a
debriefing next week.
2. (C) Initial reports were that this encounter was an
unfortunate coincidence--that the military patrol just
happened upon the kidnappers and their hostages. However,
there are some indications that the firefight was more
deliberate in nature. Some security contacts and press are
reporting the Nigerian military attempted a rescue mission.
We will attempt to find out whether this fatal brawl was
happenstance or willful. If the latter, then the Nigerian
military--at least on this occasion--changed from a passive
stance to an aggressive lunge at militant hostage taking. We
must ascertain to determine whether this was an anomaly or a
true shift in strategy that could have ramifications for the
safety of future hostages.
BROWNE
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: 11/24/2016
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER PINR ETRD CASC NI
SUBJECT: BRITON KILLED, ITALIAN INJURED IN
MILITANT-MILITARY CROSSFIRE
REF: LAGOS 1375
Classified By: Consul General Brian Browne for Reasons 1.4 (D & E)
1. (C) The British hostage kidnapped from AGIP's FPSO
Mystras vessel November 22 was killed during a fusillade
between the hostage-takers and a military patrol boat the day
of the kidnapping. The six other hostages were freed as a
result of this encounter. AGIP's Deputy Managing Director,
Akin Aruwajoye, told POLOFF on November 24 the Italian
national was seriously injured and is now in Italy receiving
medical attention. Aruwajoye said the other five
hostages--one Romanian, a Filipino, a Pole, and two
Finns--were not injured but have left the country. An
unconfirmed number of militants, media reports suggest two
while Poloff's contacts believe more, were killed during the
fight. Some government soldiers also lost their lives.
According to David Harries of the British Deputy High
Commission, AGIP's security company SOS plans to hold a
debriefing next week.
2. (C) Initial reports were that this encounter was an
unfortunate coincidence--that the military patrol just
happened upon the kidnappers and their hostages. However,
there are some indications that the firefight was more
deliberate in nature. Some security contacts and press are
reporting the Nigerian military attempted a rescue mission.
We will attempt to find out whether this fatal brawl was
happenstance or willful. If the latter, then the Nigerian
military--at least on this occasion--changed from a passive
stance to an aggressive lunge at militant hostage taking. We
must ascertain to determine whether this was an anomaly or a
true shift in strategy that could have ramifications for the
safety of future hostages.
BROWNE