Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LAGOS53
2007-01-26 10:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Lagos
Cable title:
SITREP #2: FIRST PIVOT HOSTAGE CRISIS MANAGEMENT
how-toVZCZCXRO9373 OO RUEHPA DE RUEHOS #0053 0261028 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 261028Z JAN 07 FM AMCONSUL LAGOS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8417 RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA PRIORITY 8250 INFO RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 0098 RUEHCD/AMCONSUL CIUDAD JUAREZ 0076 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 0083 RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO 0097 RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH AFB UK RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000053
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DOE FOR GPERSON, CGAY
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: 01/25/2016
TAGS: EPET ENERG ASEC PTER NI
SUBJECT: SITREP #2: FIRST PIVOT HOSTAGE CRISIS MANAGEMENT
MEETING HELD
Classified By: Consul General Brian Browne for Reasons 1.4 (B,D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000053
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DOE FOR GPERSON, CGAY
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: 01/25/2016
TAGS: EPET ENERG ASEC PTER NI
SUBJECT: SITREP #2: FIRST PIVOT HOSTAGE CRISIS MANAGEMENT
MEETING HELD
Classified By: Consul General Brian Browne for Reasons 1.4 (B,D)
1. (C) Summary: Representatives of Pivot-GIS, executives of
the Honeywell Group Limited (Pivot's parent organization; not
affiliated with the U.S.-based Honeywell Company),
representatives of the U.S. and British Embassies and a
representative of Control Risks Group (CRG) met January 23
regarding the recent kidnapping of the American and British
oil workers. The CRG representatives will chair subsequent
daily meetings and will act as Pivot's primary contact with
the GON authorities. A Pivot employee has spoken with
American citizen Bill Graham and with British citizen Neil
Mirrlees. Both sounded "fine", he reported. The CMG hopes to
work through SSS to deliver anti-malarial medications, fresh
water and other supplies to the hostages. The CMG will meet
daily at 10:00 AM. End Summary.
2. (C) The crisis management group (CMG) met January 23 at
Pivot-GIS Company's Lagos Headquarters on Victoria Island,
Lagos. Executives of the Honeywell Group Limited,
representatives of Pivot, the U.S. and British Embassies and
Control Risks (protect) attended.
3. (C) Mr. Osinupebi of Pivot-GIS briefed the group on his
first contact with the kidnappers. He called Amcit Bill
Graham's phone, which was answered by an individual who
identified himself by the sobriquet Black Monkey. Both Bill
Graham and Neil Mirrlees were allowed to speak with
Osinupebi, who said they sounded "fine". The kidnappers
asked for a naira 2 billion ransom. Osinupebi offered the
kidnappers naira 1 billion, an offer which the kidnappers
summarily dismissed. James Craig, from Pivot's Louisiana
office, called Osinupebi to inform him that he had spoken
with Graham who said the kidnappers had threatened to shoot
him in the foot.
4. (C) Little is known about the hostage-takers, except the
kidnapping was well-executed. Control Risks representative
John Walker suggested that Pivot make a formal request to the
Director of the State Security Service (SSS) Alhaji Kola
Adeshina to handle the negotiations. According to Walker,
the average ransom paid in this type of situation is between
naira 25 - 30 million for two hostages. The Committee also
discussed making a priority request, through SSS, for
permission to deliver anti-malarial drugs and fresh water to
the hostages.
5. (C) Contact will be made with Governor Peter Odili of
Rivers' State, and the British High Commission has offered to
contact President Obasanjo at an appropriate time. The CMG
will meet daily at 10:00 AM.
BROWNE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DOE FOR GPERSON, CGAY
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: 01/25/2016
TAGS: EPET ENERG ASEC PTER NI
SUBJECT: SITREP #2: FIRST PIVOT HOSTAGE CRISIS MANAGEMENT
MEETING HELD
Classified By: Consul General Brian Browne for Reasons 1.4 (B,D)
1. (C) Summary: Representatives of Pivot-GIS, executives of
the Honeywell Group Limited (Pivot's parent organization; not
affiliated with the U.S.-based Honeywell Company),
representatives of the U.S. and British Embassies and a
representative of Control Risks Group (CRG) met January 23
regarding the recent kidnapping of the American and British
oil workers. The CRG representatives will chair subsequent
daily meetings and will act as Pivot's primary contact with
the GON authorities. A Pivot employee has spoken with
American citizen Bill Graham and with British citizen Neil
Mirrlees. Both sounded "fine", he reported. The CMG hopes to
work through SSS to deliver anti-malarial medications, fresh
water and other supplies to the hostages. The CMG will meet
daily at 10:00 AM. End Summary.
2. (C) The crisis management group (CMG) met January 23 at
Pivot-GIS Company's Lagos Headquarters on Victoria Island,
Lagos. Executives of the Honeywell Group Limited,
representatives of Pivot, the U.S. and British Embassies and
Control Risks (protect) attended.
3. (C) Mr. Osinupebi of Pivot-GIS briefed the group on his
first contact with the kidnappers. He called Amcit Bill
Graham's phone, which was answered by an individual who
identified himself by the sobriquet Black Monkey. Both Bill
Graham and Neil Mirrlees were allowed to speak with
Osinupebi, who said they sounded "fine". The kidnappers
asked for a naira 2 billion ransom. Osinupebi offered the
kidnappers naira 1 billion, an offer which the kidnappers
summarily dismissed. James Craig, from Pivot's Louisiana
office, called Osinupebi to inform him that he had spoken
with Graham who said the kidnappers had threatened to shoot
him in the foot.
4. (C) Little is known about the hostage-takers, except the
kidnapping was well-executed. Control Risks representative
John Walker suggested that Pivot make a formal request to the
Director of the State Security Service (SSS) Alhaji Kola
Adeshina to handle the negotiations. According to Walker,
the average ransom paid in this type of situation is between
naira 25 - 30 million for two hostages. The Committee also
discussed making a priority request, through SSS, for
permission to deliver anti-malarial drugs and fresh water to
the hostages.
5. (C) Contact will be made with Governor Peter Odili of
Rivers' State, and the British High Commission has offered to
contact President Obasanjo at an appropriate time. The CMG
will meet daily at 10:00 AM.
BROWNE