Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LAGOS712
2007-10-30 14:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Lagos
Cable title:
MILITANT LEADER DOKUBO ASARI EXPOSES OKAH AS A
how-toVZCZCXRO3041 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHOS #0712 3031458 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 301458Z OCT 07 FM AMCONSUL LAGOS TO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA PRIORITY 9316 RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO PRIORITY 0149 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9547 INFO 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 000712
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM NI
SUBJECT: MILITANT LEADER DOKUBO ASARI EXPOSES OKAH AS A
CRIMINAL
Classified By: Acting Consul General Vicki Hutchinson for reasons 1.4 (
B) and (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000712
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM NI
SUBJECT: MILITANT LEADER DOKUBO ASARI EXPOSES OKAH AS A
CRIMINAL
Classified By: Acting Consul General Vicki Hutchinson for reasons 1.4 (
B) and (D)
1. (C) In mid-October militant leader Dokubo Asari
circulated a letter exposing Henry Okah's arms trafficking
activities and connections in a self-proclaimed effort to
separate criminality from the Niger Delta struggle. (Note:
According to security sources, this letter was intended only
for Ijaw eyes, but it is now available on the internet. End
Note.) In the letter, Asari discusses Okah's 2003 role as an
arms dealer to Ijaw militants and his 2005 move to join the
Ijaw struggle as a militant leader. The Movement for the
Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) was created as a "name
and a platform" for issuing unified statements by all
militant groups, including those of Tom Polo, Henry Okah,
Fara Dagogo, and Cynthia Whyte, Asari writes.
2. (C) According to Asari's letter, Okah choreographed the
raid on an Agip bank in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, which
resulted in the death of policemen and Okrika locals. This
attack created a division between Cynthia Whyte, who Asari
describes as "one of our most trusted female Commanders" and
Okah (aka Jomo Gbomo). Despite this, Okah continued to gain
power and by 2006 had developed liaisons with the Rivers
State government so powerful that he was purportedly paid
naira 100 million (USD 800,000) a month to "pacify the boys."
Asari closes his 11 page letter by explaining his anger with
Okah for "compromising the Ijaw struggle" by introducing
criminality and accumulating huge financial gains. Asari
said the letter is the first of a two-part narrative.
3. (C) Comment: It remains to be seen whether Asari's public
exposure of individuals engaged in criminal acts will result
in a backlash. Okah's "boys" are believed to be fragmented
in the absence of their leader. End Comment.
HUTCHINSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM NI
SUBJECT: MILITANT LEADER DOKUBO ASARI EXPOSES OKAH AS A
CRIMINAL
Classified By: Acting Consul General Vicki Hutchinson for reasons 1.4 (
B) and (D)
1. (C) In mid-October militant leader Dokubo Asari
circulated a letter exposing Henry Okah's arms trafficking
activities and connections in a self-proclaimed effort to
separate criminality from the Niger Delta struggle. (Note:
According to security sources, this letter was intended only
for Ijaw eyes, but it is now available on the internet. End
Note.) In the letter, Asari discusses Okah's 2003 role as an
arms dealer to Ijaw militants and his 2005 move to join the
Ijaw struggle as a militant leader. The Movement for the
Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) was created as a "name
and a platform" for issuing unified statements by all
militant groups, including those of Tom Polo, Henry Okah,
Fara Dagogo, and Cynthia Whyte, Asari writes.
2. (C) According to Asari's letter, Okah choreographed the
raid on an Agip bank in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, which
resulted in the death of policemen and Okrika locals. This
attack created a division between Cynthia Whyte, who Asari
describes as "one of our most trusted female Commanders" and
Okah (aka Jomo Gbomo). Despite this, Okah continued to gain
power and by 2006 had developed liaisons with the Rivers
State government so powerful that he was purportedly paid
naira 100 million (USD 800,000) a month to "pacify the boys."
Asari closes his 11 page letter by explaining his anger with
Okah for "compromising the Ijaw struggle" by introducing
criminality and accumulating huge financial gains. Asari
said the letter is the first of a two-part narrative.
3. (C) Comment: It remains to be seen whether Asari's public
exposure of individuals engaged in criminal acts will result
in a backlash. Okah's "boys" are believed to be fragmented
in the absence of their leader. End Comment.
HUTCHINSON