SITREP 9: HOSTAGES REMAIN CAPTIVE; GOVERNMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000087 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/W STATE FOR INR/AA WARSAW FOR LISA PIASCIK CIUDAD JUAREZ FOR DONNA BLAIR ISTANBUL FOR TASHAWNA SMITH SAO PAULO FOR ANDREW WITHERSPOON E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2017 TAGS: CASC EPET KDEM NI PGOV PREL SUBJECT: SITREP 9: HOSTAGES REMAIN CAPTIVE; GOVERNMENT AGREES TO PAY RANSOM REF: LAGOS 76 Classified By: Consul Alan Latimer for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) ¶1. (C) On February 5, American citizen Bill Graham told Pivot employee Wole Osinupebi the negotiation process should conclude as soon as possible because British national Neil Mirrlees's condition is very weak. John Walker of Control Risks Group could not confirm delivery of the Oral Rehydration Therapy for Mirrlees. (Reftel) ¶2. (C) State Security Service (SSS) Director Alhaji Kola Adeshina told Walker on February 5 that Governor Ibori has decided to conclude the hostage negotiations despite Federal policy prohibiting ransom payments. This decision was made in light of Mirrlees's condition, according to Adeshina. Ransom payment was contingent on the condition that it never be publicly mentioned; Adeshina warned Osinupebi would be arrested if it became known. ¶3. (C) According to Walker, Adeshina said he would arrange for the hostages' release once he had the full naira 20 million ransom (approximately USD 156,000) in hand. BROWNE