SITREP 10: FIVE AMCITS REMAIN HOSTAGES; ITALIANS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 LAGOS 000338 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA, DS/IP/AF, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/OSAC, CA/OCS/ACS/AF FOR MESARITI ZAGREB FOR AMBASSADOR BRADTKE WARSAW FOR LISA PIASCIK CIUDAD JUAREZ FOR DONNA BLAIR ISTANBUL FOR TASHAWNA SMITH SAO PAULO FOR ANDREW WITHERSPOON DOE FOR GPERSON, CAROLYN GAY TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS, SRENENDER, DFIELDS COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS STATE PASS USTR FOR ASST USTR FLISER 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: 05/14/2017 TAGS: ASEC CASC EPET KDEM NI PGOV PREL SUBJECT: SITREP 10: FIVE AMCITS REMAIN HOSTAGES; ITALIANS CONSIDER INTERNATIONAL ARREST WARRANT REF: A. LAGOS 336 ¶B. LAGOS 321 LAGOS 00000338 001.2 OF 003 Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for reasons 1.4 (B) and ( D) ¶1. (C) Summary: American citizens Kevin Faller, Christopher Gay, Michael Rousell, and Larry Plake, abducted May 8 remain hostages. The hostages' employer, Global Industries, has not met Delta State officials despite several attempts. American citizen John Stapleton, four Italians, and one Croatian employed by Chevron remain hostages after being kidnapped on May 1. Bayelsa Governor Goodluck Jonathan and other state officials continue to work towards their release. A Chevron security officer told our Regional Security Officer the Italians were considering an international arrest warrant for militant leader Henry Okah and the suspected financial backer known as "Transport Officer" based in Atlanta, Georgia. End Summary. -------------- -------------- Delta/GI: Minimal Government Contact Re 4 Amcit Hostages -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) American citizens Kevin Faller, Christopher Gay, Michael Rousell, and Larry Plake, employed by Global Industries (GI),remain hostages after being abducted off the shore of Delta State near Escravos on May 8. ACS unit chief spoke to the Faller and Plake families on May 10 (Ref A) and to Mrs. Gay and Michael Rousell's son on May 11. During a telephone call on May 10, Mr. Gay told his wife he was okay and thought they would be released soon. Mr. Rousell's son said that when his father had knee surgery a few years ago, a surgical needle was inadvertently left inside and so he must now take medication to fight infection. The son could not remember the medication and recommended we contact Global Industries' Houston office since his mother provided them the details. The Rousell family has received three telephone calls from Mr. Rousell since he was taken hostage. ¶3. (C) Global Industries (GI) said their communication with the Delta State Government has been restricted to text messages to the Delta State Governor-elect, Secretary to the State Government, Emmanuel Uduaghan, who has not returned their messages. Fred Nelson, Managing Direct of Chevron, noted the best way for GI to get results would be to meet the Governor by traveling to Delta state. Chevron offered transportation, lodging and security support to GI if they wanted to travel to Warri. GI was not aware of any State Security Service (SSS) involvement in this case and requested U.S. assistance in contacting Governor Ibori or Governor-elect Uduaghan. The Consul General has talked to Governor Ibori who stated he was willing to confer with GI. -------------- -------------- Bayelsa/Chevron: Jonathan More Hopeful than Deputy Governor -------------- -------------- LAGOS 00000338 002.2 OF 003 ¶4. (C) On May 14, American citizen John Stapleton, four Italian nationals, and one Croatian remain hostages after being kidnapped on May 1. On May 11, Governor Goodluck Jonathan and Dr. Godknows Igali, Secretary to the State Government, told Chevron's Managing Director, Fred Nelson, there are two militant leaders responsible for the kidnapping. He identified Victor Ebikabowei and "Master" as the perpetrators. (Comment: "Master" is presumably Henry Okah. End Comment.) Master was thought to be out of the country but may have returned to Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Igali told Nelson he spoke Delta State-based militants (most likely the Federated Niger Delta Ijaw Community's Tom Polo), who disowned responsibility for the Global Industries attack. However, the Delta militants said they would help resolve the Global Industries kidnapping as well as the Chevron incident. ¶5. (C) Governor Jonathan predicted they had reached the "beginning of the end" of this incident and said "real" pressure would be applied by the end of the week. He did not further elaborate what this "real" pressure might be. Jonathan addressed Chevron to avoid "falling into the Agip trap," which was an implied warning not to circumvent government negotiations by paying ransom. Jonathan did not expect further kidnappings and told Chevron this case had nothing to do with "current militancy." In a separate conversation, however, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State told the Chevron crisis group that the hostages would likely remain captive for an additional two weeks. ¶6. (C) On May 13, a contact of Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the jailed former Governor of Bayelsa State, purportedly called Chevron offering assistance securing the hostages' release. Chevron has no intention of accepting this offer. (Note: Chevron's intelligence suggests "Master" is a cousin or otherwise related to Alamieyeseigha. End Note.) Igali told Chevron he went to Warri, Delta State, on May 13 to address the Chevron and Global Industries' incidents. He did not say with whom he met, but we believe he meet FNDIC's Tom Polo. ¶7. (SBU) The State Security Service (SSS) did not confirm delivery of the welfare packages. Chevron representatives hope to receive proof of delivery or proof of life, but said they would continue to pass medication, water, and letters for the hostages. Chevron has compiled the six hostages' passports, bags, and clothing in anticipation of their release. ¶8. (SBU) Chevron has not restarted the Oloibiri flow station. Protestors outside Chevron's Abiteye facility departed on May 13. (Ref B) Early morning on May 14, a Nigerian employee of Agip was reportedly kidnapped in Port Harcourt. -------------- -------------- Italians Hope to Prosecute Okah, Transport Officer LAGOS 00000338 003.2 OF 003 -------------- -------------- ¶9. (C) A Chevron security source advised the Regional Security Officer (RSO) the Italian Consulate said the Government of Italy wants to prosecute the kidnappers. The Italians believed Henry Okah and an individual living in Atlanta, Georgia, whose sobriquet is "Transport Officer," should be the subjects of international arrest warrants. BROWNE