NIGERIA: HOSTAGE-TAKING, SITREP # 32

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000438 SIPDIS 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: 03/23/2016 TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER CASC NI HOSTAGES SUBJECT: NIGERIA: HOSTAGE-TAKING, SITREP # 32 REF: LAGOS 431 Classified By: Acting Political/Economic Chief Shannon Ross for reasons 1.4 (D/E). -------------- Hostage Welfare Update -------------- ¶1. (C) Wilbros arranged for video tapes of appeals from Russel Spell and Cody Oswalt's families. -------------- Hostage Negotiations -------------- ¶2. (C) Shell sources reported the GON was growing impatient with the negotiation process and the lack of clarity on the ground, and wanted the five federal ministers sent yesterday to "sort things out". The GON does not believe Delta State Governor Ibori is speaking with the right people. ¶3. (C) Warri sources report the hostages will be released soon, possibly within the next 48 hours, but there is no evidence to corroborate their claim. They said one of the primary holdups revolves around compensation money to be paid to the militants and continued assurances of no military reprisals. ¶4. (C) Diamond Bank Executive Director Uzoma Dozie said militia men stormed and attacked one of their branch banks in Onne area, Rivers State six days ago, searching for "feeding money," allegedly to keep the hostages going. He claimed the number of raids on banks usually increased when militant youths held hostages, and were strapped of cash. Diamond Bank has begun building a bullet-proof door to beef up security at its Onne Branch. -------------- Energy Update -------------- ¶5. (C) AGIP declared a force majeure on its Nigerian crude exports. Total shut-in production of crude oil remains at approximately 630,000 bpd. -------------- Military Update -------------- ¶6. (C) There were no significant military developments. -------------- Media Update -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Numerous dailies quoted the Federal Minister of Science and Technology, Turner Isoun, reiterating the GON's position that negotiations with the militants would only begin after the three remaining hostages were released. -------------- Consular Update -------------- ¶8. (C) There have been no reports of additional attacks on AmCits. One mission Conoff and three FEST members (one Department of State and two FBI) are in Warri monitoring negotiations and prepared to assist with repatriation. The UK also has a consular officer in Warri to monitor negotiations and assist with repatriation. The head of Shell Security is on standby for repatriation assistance. HOWE