NIGER DELTA SPOT REPORT: MILITANTS KILL MILITARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000033

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: 02/06/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC NI
SUBJECT: NIGER DELTA SPOT REPORT: MILITANTS KILL MILITARY
FORCES IN BAYELSA, MEND CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY


Classified By: Consul General Donna Blair for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)


1. (SBU) In the early morning of February 3, militants
attacked a military houseboat stationed near a Shell facility
in Nembe Creek, Bayelsa, killing Nigerian navy personnel,
according to local papers. Jomo Gbomo, reportedly a
spokesman for the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger
Delta (MEND) issued a press statement claiming responsibility
for the attack. The "minor attack is to commemorate the
fifth month" of the incarceration of Henry Okah, whom the
article refers to as a "peace and environmental activist."
(Note: Okah, who is incarcerated in Angola, is the nominal
leader of the loose organization known as MEND. End Note.)
According to press reports, hundreds of troops have been
deployed to Nembe Creek following this incident.


2. (C) According to Dimieari Von Kemedi, Director of the
Bayelsa State Due Process office, this attack came at a time
when many people thought the state's crisis would be
resolved; instead of departing the area, the military is now
increasing its presence. Kemedi told POLOFF on February 5
most militants in Bayelsa have accepted a peace deal with the
state. Despite the peace deal, some individuals may have
come under pressure to carry out the attack on behalf of
Okah, Kemedi suggested. He commented it is unfortunate this
single incident could create panic in the state.


3. (C) However, Chevron and OSAC representatives told RSO
they did not believe this incident was perpetrated by "MEND."
Rather, they suggested "Jomo Gbomo" took advantage of a
pirate/armed robbery attack which coincidentally aligned with
Okah's fifth month in jail. (Note: No explanation was
provided for this line of reasoning. End Note.)


4. (SBU) Comment: Bayelsa enjoyed a short respite from
militant attacks since the end of last year, although it
remains to be seen whether those responsible for perpetrating
this attack can be drawn back to the negotiating table. We
note that MEND is not a single or unified organization and
that there are a number of militant freelancers in the region
with their own political and financial agendas. End Comment.


5. (U) This cable has been cleared by Embassy Abuja.
BLAIR