SITREP 18: FIVE AMCITS REMAIN HOSTAGES; 22 EXPATS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000376 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 OSLO FOR HELENA SCHRADER 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: 05/24/2017 TAGS: ASEC CASC EPET KDEM NI PGOV PREL SUBJECT: SITREP 18: FIVE AMCITS REMAIN HOSTAGES; 22 EXPATS TO DEPART WARRI REF: A. LAGOS 372 ¶B. LAGOS 347 LAGOS 00000376 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Consul Alan B. C. Latimer for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) ¶1. (C) Summary: On May 23, a welfare package was reportedly delivered to Chevron's six expatriate employees, including American citizen John Stapleton, who are being held hostage in Bayelsa State. The State Security Service (SSS) emissary told Chevron that the Bayelsa State Government had promised to pay naira 35 million (approximately USD 273,000) for the release of a sick hostage; the kidnapper was furious when the emissary did not have the money and repeated demands for a generator and potable water source. Chevron referred all demands to the state government. Global Industries' four American employees remain hostages in Delta State. End Summary. -------------- Bayelsa/Chevron: Welfare Package Delivered, Kidnapper Upset No Ransom Provided -------------- ¶2. (C) On May 24, American citizen John Stapleton, four Italians, and one Croatian remain hostages in Bayelsa State. The State Security Service (SSS) emissary, whose name is believed to be Stanley Ogbakari, told Chevron he delivered a welfare package containing food, water and soft drinks to the hostages on May 23. (Note: Chevron suspects Stanley is a member of Victor Ebikabowei's group. End Note.) The emissary did not return with proof of life photographs or letters from the hostages, but told Chevron he saw all six. Chevron has procured hydrocortisone and ibuprofen for the hostage who developed a rash and will include this in the next welfare package (Ref A). ¶3. (C) The emissary told Chevron that the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa had promised to provide Ebikabowei naira 35 million (approximately USD 273,000) in exchange for the sick hostage. Ebikabowei "reacted violently" when the emissary arrived on May 23 empty-handed. Ebikabowei repeated demands for a generator and a source for potable water (Ref B). Chevron requested that the emissary discuss these demands with the State Government. Chevron representatives decided to deal only with the Director of SSS and the Deputy Governor as they were concerned too many meetings with the emissary could lead to direct negotiations with the kidnappers. ¶4. (C) Chevron perceives that Dr. Godknows Igali, Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, and Governor Goodluck Jonathan are "backing away" from the process and will try to re-engage them. In light of the May 29 inauguration of Goodluck Jonathan as Vice President, Chevron is concerned the government may arrange to have the hostages released in Abuja as a publicity ploy. LAGOS 00000376 002.2 OF 002 ¶5. (C) Chevron said its Oloibiri vessel, from which the six expatriates had been kidnapped, has resumed production offshore Bayelsa State. However, Chevron said it has decided to relocate 20 expatriates from Warri, Delta State to other locations because these workers were no longer needed. This decision did not result from security or credible threat information. -------------- Delta/GI: Amcits Remain Hostages; GI Representatives Return to Lagos -------------- ¶6. (C) Four American Global Industries (GI) employees, Kevin Faller, Christopher Gay, Michael Rousell and Larry Plake, kidnapped May 8, off the shore of Delta State, remain hostages. GI's meeting with the Delta State Secretary, Ovie Omo-Agege, planned for May 23, did not occur. GI's Houston office reportedly received four to six calls from the kidnappers. ¶7. (C) GI has also decided to return its Warri expatriate representatives to Lagos. BROWNE