NIGERIA: HOSTAGE-TAKING, SITREP #5

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000263

SIPDIS

STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS JBRODMAN AND CGAY
TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS AND SRENENDER
COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ
STATE FOR DS/IP/AF, AF/EX, DS/IP/OPO, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/ITA
LONDON PASS TO AMBASSADOR CAMPBELL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/20/2016
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER KHLS PINR ETRD CASC NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: HOSTAGE-TAKING, SITREP #5

REF: LAGOS 252 AND PREVIOUS

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

--------------
Hostage Welfare Update
--------------


1. (C) A reliable contact reported to Shell hostage Macon
Hawkins was "presenting difficulties," and we infer this to
mean that he was beginning to show signs of diabetic
complications. Willbros is attempting to contact Hawkins'
doctor to obtain a more complete assessment of his medical
history and the severity of his diabetes. Taken during the
January hostage crisis, AmCit Patrick Landry said he never
received the blood pressure medication dispatched to the
kidnappers for him. We have no confirmation that medicines
sent for the hostages have been delivered.


2. (C) Biodun Orebiyi, Secretary General of the Nigerian Red
Cross (NRC),said Delta State has requested NRC help to
deliver food, water, and medicine to the hostages. Orebiyi
claimed he was informed the hostages have been divided into
groups and are being held at four different but adjacent
locations near the border between Bayelsa and Delta States.


3. (C) We are attempting to confirm reports that traditional
Ijaw elder Chief E.K.Clarke has been appointed by Delta
Governor Ibori to lead a hostage negotiating team. A Shell
source reports Governor Ibori said Government Ekpemukpolo is
behind the kidnapping, and Ibori is seeking to engage him.
Shell sources continue to place the hostages in Nkeronkoko or
the immediate vicinity. Other Delta sources said the
hostages would not be released to Governor Ibori as Ibori is
an Urhobo, not an Ijaw. Any release will be to
representatives of Bayelsa State Governor Goodluck Jonathan,
who is Ijaw. (Comment: This conflicts with information from
other sources that the kidnappers dislike Governor Jonathan
because of his perceived role in the ousting of his
predecessor a few months ago. While the group may not be
enamored with Ibori, they likely are not prone toward
Jonathan. However, Goodluck did reportedly hand over 100
million naira to end the January crisis, so the kidnappers
may desire another dose of Bayelsa largesse. End comment.)

--------------
Energy Update: Shell Facilities Still Closed
--------------


4. (C) Shell reported threats against barges near Bonny, in
Rivers State. Forcados, "Sea Eagle," and other Shell
facilities are still not operational, and security concerns
have delayed a damage assessment of the Forcados terminal.
Shell reports production is reduced by approximately 550,000
bpd.


5. (C) Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Managing
Director Engineer Makoju confirmed PHCN has lost 850 MW, or
26% of the country's power, due to damaged gas pipelines.
Damage to the Escravos-Lagos line has reduced production at
the Egbin and Delta power plants, while damage to a pipeline
last week in Rivers State slowed production at the Akpan
power plant.


6. Shell has closed Osubi airstrip in Warri due to security
concerns. Commercial carriers have temporarily suspended
flights to Warri.

--------------
New Group, New Threats
--------------


7. (C) A new group calling itself Toru-Paka Minafa Brigade,
or Martyrs' Brigade, released a statement threatening attacks
in Lagos and Abuja. Brigade spokeswoman Cynthia Whyte,
previously a spokeswoman for Dokubo Asari's Niger Delta
Peoples' Volunteer Force, called on all foreigners to leave
the Niger Delta immediately or be subject to "open pain
cheques."


8. (C) False reports of former Bayelsa Governor
Alamieyeseigha's death have begun to spread, causing some
tension in Bayelsa. GON contacts have been advised to
publicly refute these inaccurate reports. (Comment: Before
his impeachment Alamieyeseigha was viewed in many circles as
the most powerful political figure in the Ijaw ethnic group.
He also had a cordial relationship with many of the Ijaw
militant organizations in the Delta. His death could cause
tension to escalate appreciably and swiftly. End comment.)


9. (C) The Itsikiri National Congress (INC) released a
statement demanding the Ijaws limit their attacks around
Escravos to facilities on their ethnic lands. Ijaw militants
reportedly planned a second attack on an Escravos pipeline,
but were met by Itsikiri youths who told them to vacate their
community. (Comment: If true, this incident shows that the
level of agitation in the Delta is reaching a higher pitch.
End comment.)

--------------
Military Activity; Militant Attack Repulsed
--------------


10. (C) Militants mounted a small attack on a JTF military
position outside Forcados. Military sources say one attacker
was killed and two were captured. A FNDIC source, confirming
the ruction, reports one killed, one captured. The JTF is in
a heightened alert status in case the attack was preliminary
to something larger.


11. (S) Shell Executive Vice President Anne Pickard met
President Obasanjo yesterday. According to Pickard, Obasanjo
spoke liberally with invectives about the hostage-taking.
Obasanjo also underscored his determination to forcibly end
oil bunkering. (Comment: If Pickard is right, President
Obasanjo may be attempting to draw an intellectual
distinction between the militants and bunkerers in that area.
In reality, this may be a distinction without a difference.
Most militants engage in bunkering. Should the GON launch
operations in the area under the guise of attacking
bunkering, the militants will be ill-amused. An untimely
"law enforcement" action could rekindle the situation and
place the hostages in jeopardy. End comment.)

--------------
Consular Update
--------------


12. (C) All Consular staff are accounted for. There have
been no reports of additional attacks on AmCits.
BROWNE