Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10LAGOS10
2010-01-07 16:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Lagos
Cable title:
NIGERIAN WORKERS KILLED AT CHEVRON SITE
how-toVZCZCXRO2633 RR RUEHPA DE RUEHOS #0010 0071616 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 071616Z JAN 10 FM AMCONSUL LAGOS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1162 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 0709 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 RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHMFISS/COMUSNAVEUR NAPLES IT
C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000010
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2029
TAGS: PHUM KCRM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN WORKERS KILLED AT CHEVRON SITE
Classified By: Consul General Donna M. Blair for Reasons 1.4 (B,D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000010
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2029
TAGS: PHUM KCRM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN WORKERS KILLED AT CHEVRON SITE
Classified By: Consul General Donna M. Blair for Reasons 1.4 (B,D)
1. (SBU) On January 4, two Nigerians working at the
construction site of Chevron's Escravos Gas-to-Liquid plant
in Delta State were killed by Nigerian security forces
following an argument at a checkpoint that "got out of hand,"
according to Nigerian press reports on January 5. The
killings allegedly triggered a short riot which caused some
destruction.
2. (C) Chevron spokesman Femi Odumabo confirmed the incident
to CG Lagos, but noted that the victims were construction
workers hired by a subcontractor of Hyundai Heavy Industries,
not Chevron itself. He said that the reports of destruction
were greatly exaggerated and that there had been no impact on
construction. The Warri Branch Chairman of the Petroleum and
Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Ajayi
Olawole, separately confirmed to CG Lagos the two fatalities
and also stressed that the victims were construction not oil
and gas workers. No Americans were involved in the incident.
3. (C) Odumabo said that Chevron is investigating the
incident, but it appears that the dispute broke out over bus
access to a gate controlled by Nigerian security forces when
the unarmed workers were fired upon. Odumabo underscored
that as a company Chevron had no control over Nigerian
security forces. Delta State, where the incident occurred,
is also investigating the incident, according to Governor
Uduaghan's Special Advisor on Petroleum Affairs Gbemisi
Akpere. No one has yet been arrested or charged in the
incident.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: We are still trying to determine if the
involved security forces were police or military. Both
organizations have a reputation for excessive use of force.
At this point, the incident appears isolated and unlikely to
spread to other areas. END COMMENT.
5. (U) ConGen Lagos coordinated this telegram with Embassy
Abuja.
BLAIR
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2029
TAGS: PHUM KCRM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN WORKERS KILLED AT CHEVRON SITE
Classified By: Consul General Donna M. Blair for Reasons 1.4 (B,D)
1. (SBU) On January 4, two Nigerians working at the
construction site of Chevron's Escravos Gas-to-Liquid plant
in Delta State were killed by Nigerian security forces
following an argument at a checkpoint that "got out of hand,"
according to Nigerian press reports on January 5. The
killings allegedly triggered a short riot which caused some
destruction.
2. (C) Chevron spokesman Femi Odumabo confirmed the incident
to CG Lagos, but noted that the victims were construction
workers hired by a subcontractor of Hyundai Heavy Industries,
not Chevron itself. He said that the reports of destruction
were greatly exaggerated and that there had been no impact on
construction. The Warri Branch Chairman of the Petroleum and
Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Ajayi
Olawole, separately confirmed to CG Lagos the two fatalities
and also stressed that the victims were construction not oil
and gas workers. No Americans were involved in the incident.
3. (C) Odumabo said that Chevron is investigating the
incident, but it appears that the dispute broke out over bus
access to a gate controlled by Nigerian security forces when
the unarmed workers were fired upon. Odumabo underscored
that as a company Chevron had no control over Nigerian
security forces. Delta State, where the incident occurred,
is also investigating the incident, according to Governor
Uduaghan's Special Advisor on Petroleum Affairs Gbemisi
Akpere. No one has yet been arrested or charged in the
incident.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: We are still trying to determine if the
involved security forces were police or military. Both
organizations have a reputation for excessive use of force.
At this point, the incident appears isolated and unlikely to
spread to other areas. END COMMENT.
5. (U) ConGen Lagos coordinated this telegram with Embassy
Abuja.
BLAIR