US embassy cable - 04ABUJA586

S E C R E T ABUJA 000586 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PTER, PHUM, NI 
SUBJECT: COUP RUMORS REFLECT TENSION IN NIGERIA 
 
REF: A. ABUJA 583 
 
     B. ABUJA 584 
 
Classified By: CDA RICK ROBERTS FOR REASONS 1.5 (b) AND (d). 
 
 
1.  (S/NF)  SUMMARY:  Rumors of a coup attempt began on April 
Fool,s Day, but no one was laughing.  The GON reported that 
there had been a "breach of security" but denied any coup 
attempt.  Still, Major Hamza al-Mustapha was taken from his 
maximum security prison for questioning by military 
intelligence.  The GON,s security services have interrogated 
at least fifty military officers (mostly mid-rank officers) 
and at least 100 civilians.  Reports indicate that about 25 
remain in custody and that a military tribunal has been 
established to try at least some of them.  One bridagier who 
was interrogated maintains that at least three officers have 
been executed.  There is no indication that a coup attempt 
took place.  Rather, it seems that President Obasanjo,s 
paranoia about the military and his desire to exact a measure 
of revenge on al-Mustapha are driving the witch-hunt.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
2.  (U)  Rumors of a coup attempt shook the GON on April 
Fool,s Day as the government moved to round up the usual 
suspects.  Beginning with the snatching of Maj. Hamza 
al-Mustapha, Chief Security Officer for General Sani Abacha 
and currently awaiting trial for a laundry list of crimes, 
including murder and theft, from the Kirikiri Maximum 
Security Prison in Lagos on 31 March, the GON investigation 
has expanded to include at least 150 persons.  Presidency and 
military spokesmen say that no coup was attempted.  They term 
the roundup as an investigation of a "security breach," 
allegedly arising from a phone call al-Mustapha made to the 
President from his cell. 
 
3.  (C)  At least fifty military officers have been 
questioned in relation to the "breach."  Various military and 
civilian sources say that about 25 remain in detention. 
About 100 civilians have also been interrogated but it is 
unknown if any remain in detention.  According to several of 
those interrogated, the focus of the questioning was on their 
contacts with al-Mustapha.  While no pattern for the 
detentions is obvious, one military detainee claimed that the 
security services were rounding up "any officer who made a 
comment during our Town Hall meetings."  (NOTE:  President 
Obasanjo made a tour of the country in the last four months, 
meeting with military officers at each stop to explain his 
policies and solicit suggestions for improving the lot of the 
military.  END NOTE) 
 
4.  (C)  A military tribunal has reportedly been established 
at a military base in Abuja in order to try those charged 
with coup plotting.  According to one Igbo civilian in the 
Presidency, about ten people are expected to stand trial. 
"Most of them are northerners," he claimed.  It is uncertain 
if any of the trial will be made public, but it is expected 
to conclude its business within one month. 
 
5.  (S/NF)  A source within Nigeria,s State Security 
Services (SSS) with access to the Director's office claims 
that three officers have already been executed.  A brigadier 
from Defense Headquarters who underwent questioning makes the 
same claim.  They say the deaths took place at a military 
base in Kontagora, Niger State on the night of 1 April.  The 
brigadier says the three may be listed as casualties from a 
"training exercise."  According to the SSS officer, one of 
the three was the son of a traditional ruler from Niger State 
and all three were Colonels. 
 
6.  (S)  COMMENT:  According to the government's calculation, 
this is the fourth coup attempt that they have been able to 
foil.  Evidently, the GON is rounding up suspects believed to 
have plotted to stage a coup in January, 2004.  Regardless of 
the seriousness of this attempt, the Obasanjo regime remains 
on shaky ground, primarily due to economic and political 
corruption.  Enhanced by Obasanjo's personal paranoia, the 
GON is looking to blame its faults on detractors, outside 
troublemakers and western governments.  While the current 
efforts may indeed be targeted at some elements who plotted 
to overthrow the government, it seems to be looking backward 
rather than forward.  A huge sentiment that it is time for a 
change exists within the military, the political class and 
the general populace.  Rather than solving some of Nigeria's 
myriad problems, Obasanjo and his partners prefer to stalk 
the ghosts of the past. 
 
 
 
 
ROBERTS