PORT HARCOURT VIOLENCE RESUMES; ATTACKERS IDENTITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000578

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA, DS/IP/AF, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/OSAC
OSLO FOR HELENA SCHRADER
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: 08/16/2017
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PREL NI
SUBJECT: PORT HARCOURT VIOLENCE RESUMES; ATTACKERS IDENTITY
UNKNOWN

REF: LAGOS 567

Classified By: Acting Consul General Donald McConnell for reasons 1.4 (
B) and (D)


1. (C) Despite the increased deployment of military troops
to Port Harcourt, Rivers State following the August 6-12
violence (Reftel),post has confirmed reports that serious
fighting and the possible use of explosives broke out
throughout the city on August 16. Fighting and violence has
been reported along the Trans-Amadi expressway, in the old
Government Reservation Area (GRA),in Borokiri, and near the
Port Harcourt Central Police Station. Militants/criminals
are purportedly in plain civilian clothes and, according to a
report from the Defense Attache, have been attacking military
targets with heavy weapons and "mortars." Other reports have
suggested the military is using helicopters for aerial
shooting. The military has sustained casualties but has not
confirmed any figures. Additional reports suggest violence
is concentrated around Rivers State Government House.


2. (C) Ogon Patterson, an NGO contact in Port Harcourt, told
Polspec on August 16 that the situation throughout the city
can be likened to that of Baghdad as it is difficult to
determine who is fighting whom. Furthermore, Patterson said
it is unclear who is responsible for masterminding the
attacks. On the other hand, according to Patrick Naagbanton,
a well-connected human rights reporter in Port Harcourt,
criminal leader Soboma George's convoy came under police
attack the evening of August 15 and George escaped unharmed.
(Note: Other rumors suggest George was either arrested or his
body has been discovered and autopsied--to be confirmed. End
Note.) Naagbanton told Poloff on August 16 George's "boys"
countered the police attack by releasing violence on Port
Harcourt while George escaped to his "hideout."


3. (C) Most company security representatives believe the
fighting represents a turf battle between Soboma George and
Ateke Tom, each trying to expand control before a peace
initiative can take effect. Our security contacts likened
the attackers to &militias8 and criminal entities rather
than groups seeking political change.


4. (C) Comment: According to most reports post has received,
the August 16 resumption of violence in Port Harcourt has
been widespread and intense. The military has returned fire,
yet it is not clear who is responsible for initiating the
attacks. While some contacts refer to the attackers as
militants, there has been no indication that the
ideologically-driven militants of Delta and Bayelsa states
have a hand in the ongoing fighting in Port Harcourt, Rivers
State. End Comment.
MCCONNELL