Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LAGOS317
2008-08-11 06:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Lagos
Cable title:
NIGERIA: BAKASSI FREEDOM FIGHTERS, IN LEAGUE WITH
how-toVZCZCXRO7500 OO RUEHPA DE RUEHOS #0317 2240625 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 110625Z AUG 08 FM AMCONSUL LAGOS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0106 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 0174 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 RUEWMFD/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000317
SIPDIS
DOE FOR GPERSON,CHAYLOCK
TREASURY FOR DFIELDS, AIERONIMO, RHALL
DOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KBURRESS
STATE PASS USTR FOR USTR AGAMA
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: BAKASSI FREEDOM FIGHTERS, IN LEAGUE WITH
MEND, SHOW THEIR STRENGTH
REF: A) SEPTEL B) LAGOS 243 C) LAGOS 224
Classified By: Consul General Donna Blair, Reasons 1.4 (B,D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000317
SIPDIS
DOE FOR GPERSON,CHAYLOCK
TREASURY FOR DFIELDS, AIERONIMO, RHALL
DOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KBURRESS
STATE PASS USTR FOR USTR AGAMA
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: BAKASSI FREEDOM FIGHTERS, IN LEAGUE WITH
MEND, SHOW THEIR STRENGTH
REF: A) SEPTEL B) LAGOS 243 C) LAGOS 224
Classified By: Consul General Donna Blair, Reasons 1.4 (B,D)
1. (C) Dr. Theo Osin Oyuko (protect throughout),Executive
Director of the Cross River State Youth Assembly, told
Pol-Econ Chief July 10 that youths from the southern Bakassi
peninsula, calling themselves Bakassi Freedom Fighters, put
on a show of force near the village of Ikang around mid-day
July 9. According to Oyuko, the youths have allied
themselves with the Movement for the Emancipation of the
Niger Delta and have access to "massive amounts" of arms,
which they displayed on July 9. Oyuko said that his source
told him the Bakassi Freedom Fighters met with Nigerian
security forces, briefly "took them hostage," then released
them near the beach. The whole operation was a test run, he
said, to show their strength. The youths have some powerful
backers willing to give them money, he added. Asked if the
"operation" caused any population displacement, Oyuko replied
in the negative; the people who were in the area were only
fishermen, and were not forced to leave. According to
Oyuko's source, the youths are determined to fight against
the final turnover of Bakassi on August 14. The youths have
also discussed the possibility of creating an oil spill in
the ocean offshore from the peninsula, and setting it alight.
By causing a panic, Oyuko said, they hope to derail the
handover.
2. (C) During a July 12 graduation ceremony for militants
trained in nonviolence principles and practices by the
Foundation for Ethnic Harmony, at which Pol-Econ Chief was in
attendance (Septel),Niger Delta Development Commission
(NDDC) Managing Director Timi Alaibe seemed to confirm the
link between Niger Delta militants and the Bakassi Freedom
Fighters, telling the youths he knows how they travel from
Port Harcourt to Bakassi, "spending three hours on the sea,
with six drums of fuel for your boats."
3. (C) Comment: That disgruntled youths opposed to the
handover reached out tor were reached out to by, Niger Delta
militants is not surprising. The Bakassi handover may prove
a fertile recruiting for new militants with a fresh set of
grievances and a high profile "cause."
BLAIR
SIPDIS
DOE FOR GPERSON,CHAYLOCK
TREASURY FOR DFIELDS, AIERONIMO, RHALL
DOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KBURRESS
STATE PASS USTR FOR USTR AGAMA
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: BAKASSI FREEDOM FIGHTERS, IN LEAGUE WITH
MEND, SHOW THEIR STRENGTH
REF: A) SEPTEL B) LAGOS 243 C) LAGOS 224
Classified By: Consul General Donna Blair, Reasons 1.4 (B,D)
1. (C) Dr. Theo Osin Oyuko (protect throughout),Executive
Director of the Cross River State Youth Assembly, told
Pol-Econ Chief July 10 that youths from the southern Bakassi
peninsula, calling themselves Bakassi Freedom Fighters, put
on a show of force near the village of Ikang around mid-day
July 9. According to Oyuko, the youths have allied
themselves with the Movement for the Emancipation of the
Niger Delta and have access to "massive amounts" of arms,
which they displayed on July 9. Oyuko said that his source
told him the Bakassi Freedom Fighters met with Nigerian
security forces, briefly "took them hostage," then released
them near the beach. The whole operation was a test run, he
said, to show their strength. The youths have some powerful
backers willing to give them money, he added. Asked if the
"operation" caused any population displacement, Oyuko replied
in the negative; the people who were in the area were only
fishermen, and were not forced to leave. According to
Oyuko's source, the youths are determined to fight against
the final turnover of Bakassi on August 14. The youths have
also discussed the possibility of creating an oil spill in
the ocean offshore from the peninsula, and setting it alight.
By causing a panic, Oyuko said, they hope to derail the
handover.
2. (C) During a July 12 graduation ceremony for militants
trained in nonviolence principles and practices by the
Foundation for Ethnic Harmony, at which Pol-Econ Chief was in
attendance (Septel),Niger Delta Development Commission
(NDDC) Managing Director Timi Alaibe seemed to confirm the
link between Niger Delta militants and the Bakassi Freedom
Fighters, telling the youths he knows how they travel from
Port Harcourt to Bakassi, "spending three hours on the sea,
with six drums of fuel for your boats."
3. (C) Comment: That disgruntled youths opposed to the
handover reached out tor were reached out to by, Niger Delta
militants is not surprising. The Bakassi handover may prove
a fertile recruiting for new militants with a fresh set of
grievances and a high profile "cause."
BLAIR