SITREP #2: FIRST PIVOT HOSTAGE CRISIS MANAGEMENT

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