NIGERIA: HOSTAGE-TAKING, SITREP #11

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000297

SIPDIS

NOFORN
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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2016
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER KHLS PINR ETRD CASC NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: HOSTAGE-TAKING, SITREP #11

REF: A. LAGOS 290 AND PREVIOUS


B. 05 LAGOS 1951

Classified By: Acting Pol/Econ Chief Shannon Ross for Reasons 1.4 (D &
E)

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Hostage Welfare Update
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1. (C) Chief Edwin Clark, a member of the Delta State
negotiating committee, told Econoff more medicine was
dispatched for the hostages on Saturday.

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Negotiations Update
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2. (C) Clark and other sources around Warri told Econoff
some of the hostages would be released soon. Shell contacts
independently report this, and indicate the partial release
would consist of Thai, Philippine, and/or Egyptian hostages,
and possibly AmCit Macon Hawkins. Bayelsa State Secretary
Dr. Igali, a central figure in the resolution of the January
hostage crisis, disputes claims by Clark and Ibori of any
movement in negotiations, and claims international
involvement will be required to obtain the hostages' release.


3. (C) Several sources from Rivers and Delta State
governments told Econoff President Obasanjo has set up three
alternate lines of negotiation to attempt to resolve the
crisis. They include military, Judy Asuni's Peaceworks, and
another civilian team (a Rivers State contact identified the
third team as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)),
and are independent of the Delta State committee set up by
Governor Ibori. All three of the Abuja-directed teams are in
contact with the kidnappers, who are reportedly "shopping"
among them to negotiate the best deal. A Rivers State
contact reports the NDDC has offered the kidnappers 50
million naira (approximately 390,000 USD) for the hostages'
release. The military negotiating team is reportedly meeting
with the kidnappers to confirm logistics and to which
intermediaries they are willing to release the hostages.


4. (C) Governor Ibori told Econoff he is briefing President
Obasanjo on progress of the negotiations today in Abuja, and
will meet with Econoff after he returns to Warri. (Comment:
Governor Ibori plans to attempt to turn off other negotiating
lines as counter-productive to the Delta committee. End
comment.) Ibori told Willbros yesterday he knows who the
captors are, and where the hostages are being held, but
negotiations are being complicated by "reporters'
interference." Ibori told the British Deputy High
Commissioner the release of some of the hostages was expected
by now, but hard-liners among the militants have insisted on
waiting for funeral rites for Government Ekpemukpolo's cousin
to be completed.

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Energy Update: Shell Facilities Still Closed
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5. (C) There is no change in the status of damaged or closed
Shell facilities, and production remains reduced
approximately 550,000 bpd. Shell reports between 500 and 600
personnel have been evacuated from the threatened areas since
the crisis began. Power generation remains down by
approximately 850 MW (of a total of 3200 MW nationwide) due
to a damaged gas feeder line, which cannot be repaired until
the security situation improves. Chevron reports some damage
to a pipeline near Escravos reducing throughput by
approximately 6000 bpd. While it is likely due to sabotage,
Chevron does not believe it to be connected to recent MEND

LAGOS 00000297 002 OF 002


activity.


6. (C) Shell reports a vessel near Onne (outside of Port
Harcourt) was approached by a suspicious flyboat, but
succeeded in outrunning it. Shell remains cognizant of
reports surfaced during the January hostage situation of
possible diversionary attacks around Port Harcourt designed
to draw Nigerian naval forces away from the Bonny Island
facilities and leave them vulnerable for attack. Bonny
Island is a large center of oil and gas production in
Nigeria, and would represent an extremely valuable target
(reftel B).


7. (C) Chevron reports increasing inquiries about rumors and
media claims of US counter-terrorism intervention in the
communities where they operate. (Comment: These reports are
the first signs of potential negative impact from the rumors.
End comment.)

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Military Update
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8. (S/NF) For further update on military plans in the region
see TD-314/14024-06 dated 27 February.

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Media Update
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9. (SBU) Vanguard reports a warning from Ijaw leaders to
the US not to employ anti-terrorist specialists in a rescue
attempt or risk aggravating the security situation in the
area. Punch reports additional attacks on the Odidi II flow
station (confirming last week's report) as well as a gas flow
line at Beniboye, near Forcados, operated by Agip, but there
is no additional degradation in production from these
attacks. Other media report Abel Oshavire, a spokesman for
Governor Ibori, said the hostages are expected to be released
within a matter of days, and likely in small batches instead
of all at once.


10. (SBU) This Day reports General Bamali, commander of the
2 Division in Ibadan, reiterated the army's absolute loyalty
to civil authorities and promised to defend the constitution.
Bamali said his priority is on training the army to defend
the country's territorial integrity.

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Consular Update
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11. (C) There have been no reports of additional attacks on
AmCits. Two mission Econoffs are in Warri monitoring
negotiations and prepared to assist with repatriation. The
UK is dispatching a consular officer to Warri to monitor
negotiations and assist with repatriation.

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Repatriation Plan Update
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12. (C) We have solidified repatriation and debrief plans,
including the possibility of a partial release, and are
coordinating dissemination with Thai, Egyptian, Philippine,
and UK representatives.
HOWE