UNCLAS LAGOS 000787

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W
STATE FOR INR/AA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER CASC NI DELTAVIOLENCE
SUBJECT: JUNE 9 NIGER DELTA INCIDENT SUMMARY

REF: ABUJA 874


1. This is the initial edition of what will be a biweekly
roundup of security incidents in the Niger Delta. This
roundup excludes "normal" street crime and concentrates on
particularly serious incidents with a possible militant or
political element. These incidents have not been reported in
other cables or are updates of previously reported items.
Separately, these events would not warrant individual cables
but they are noteworthy for they are indicative of the level
of violence and unrest in this important region of Nigeria.


2. May 27 - Units of the Niger Delta-based Nigerian military
Joint Task Force (JTF) raided the village of Okrika, Rivers
State, killing seven and arresting six. One soldier was
reportedly killed, but that is unconfirmed. The operation
allegedly targeted perpetrators of a recent series of armed
robberies around Port Harcourt. The troops also raided the
Okrika residence of militant leader Ateke Tom during the same
operation but made no arrests.


3. May 29 - A gun battle took place near the Bonny Barracks
site of the Port Harcourt car bombing (reftel). Residents
report gunfire lasting over 30 minutes. Two soldiers and one
militant (from the Okrika area) were said to have died in the
battle.


4. May 31 - Delta State police command discovered a cache of
weapons packed in a plastic can in Agbassa Kingdom, Warri
South local government area. The cache included 147 rounds
of .9mm AK 47 ammunition, 112 rounds of 7.62mm Lar
ammunition, seven rounds of FNC ammunition, 986 other live
cartridges, three expended AK 47 rounds and one NPC Chief
revolver pistol model 9007114.


5. May 31 - At about 1000hrs in the Onne Oil and Gas Free
Zone (a major logistics base for the petroleum industry),
Rivers State, approximately forty armed men from the
Ogpu-Ikpokiri Community beached in four boats and began
shooting in the air, claiming they wanted their share of
labor contracts. Nigerian Navy personnel fired in the air in
response, and Mobile Police were dispatched. Thirty-two
intruders were arrested and are being held for prosecution.
Police claimed this was a community/labor contract issue and
not connected with Ateke Tom or other militant groups.
However, media reports state the attack was in retaliation
for the May 27 JTF raid on Ateke Tom's residence (see
paragraph 2), and resulted in five attackers and one police
officer killed.


6. June 6 - Unknown attackers bombed the Port Harcourt
residence of the Deputy Speaker of the National House of
Representatives, Austin Opara, at about 0200hrs. There were
no injuries. The attackers fired shots in the neighborhood
before storming the Speaker's compound and throwing
explosives into Opara's then-unoccupied bedroom. Opara is
contending for the governorship of Rivers State in 2007.
BROWNE