US embassy cable - 04LAGOS2013

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 002013 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/2014 
TAGS: EPET, CASC, MOPS, PGOV, NI 
SUBJECT: DELTA UPDATE FOR SEPTEMBER 30 
 
REF: A. ABUJA 1675 
     B. ABUJA 1673 
     C. LAGOS 1998 
     D. LAGOS 1982 
     E. LAGOS 1978 
     F. ABUJA 1656 
     G. ABUJA 1486 
     H. LAGOS 1892 
     I. LAGOS 1820 
 
Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reasons 1.5 (B & D) 
 
Summary 
-------- 
 
1.  (S)  Local press headlined today with news of 
government meetings with Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force 
(NDPVF) leader Asari in Abuja (ref A) and purported 
cease-fire.  Local press is now openly discussing Joint Task 
Force Operation Flush Out 3.  NGO and energy company contacts 
stated that the situation in Port Harcourt was less tense. 
Production remains unchanged from yesterday.  There have been 
no reports on incidents involving Americans.  Apparently 
rival Delta militant leader Ateke Tom also has traveled to 
Abuja to participate in talks with the GON. 
 
Security Update 
---------------------- 
 
2.  (U)  Local press headlined today with news of 
government meetings with Niger Delta People's Volunteer 
Force (NPDVF) leader Asari in Abuja, stating that the GON 
and Asari had agreed to a cease-fire.  See reftel Abuja 1675. 
 
3.  (C) Marine and Naval Attache returned 30 September from 
a 3-day trip to the Port Harcourt area (ref B).  His NGO and 
oil company sources indicate the overall security situation 
in Port Harcourt is quiet, particularly in the city itself. 
His sources tended to discount Asari's assertion that he was 
the head a genuine Ijaw malcontent movement.  They saw Asari 
as a political thug/bunkerer who was trying to cloak himself 
with Ijaw populism in order to veil the illicit pecuniary 
activities that are his real motivators.  However, he 
explained that there are oil facilities or personnel, whether 
due to their  geographical location or operational nature, 
that have minimal or no real security protection and that are 
vulnerable to the local gangs.  Further reporting on the 
Attache's visit to Port Harcourt will be transmitted via DOD 
channels. 
 
4.  (S)  The Attache also notes that he has received 
information that rival Delta militant leader Ateke Tom 
traveled to Abuja on 29 September, (separately from Asari), 
to participate in talks with the GON. 
 
5.  (U)   Unconfirmed press stated that GON soldiers 
conducted an operation in  attacked the Gbali village in the 
Degema local government area of Rivers on September 23 and 
29, in search of bunkerers who had reportedly disarmed 
military personnel guarding oil installations in the area. 
The press quoted a resident saying that Degema is now a 
"ghost town taken over by the military under terrible 
occupation and seizure."  The press reported that Army PRO 
Second Brigade Nigerian Army Port Harcourt said that the 
military had visited the town twice in the last 10 days, 
uncovering an undisclosed quantity of arms and ammunition in 
village. 
 
Reports from the Energy Sector 
------------------------------- 
 
6.  (SBU)  Shell: Shell External Relations Director was 
optimistic about the cease-fire and GON discussions with 
Asari.    There are no changes in the Shell production 
situation. 
 
7.  (C)  Chevron Texaco: The Chevron Texaco MD of Onshore 
Operations reported that the situation in Port Harcourt is 
calmer, given the news of a cease-fire.  Chevron continues to 
operate at regular production levels.  Chevron Texaco 
Environmental and Safety officer seconded this assessment. 
She also detailed the security arrangements under which 
Chevron personnel are currently operating:  Chevron uses a 
5-tier 
security system; they are currently at tier 3 in Port 
Harcourt, which prohibits movement of any Chevron 
personnel without a GON armed escort. 
 
8.  (U)  Forosal Drilling:  Forosal Drilling contacts also 
indicated that the situation in Port Harcourt was calm. 
 
ACS Update 
----------- 
 
9.  (SBU)  There have been no reports on incidents 
involving Americans. 
Press 
------ 
10.  (U)  While the Nigerian press was somewhat reluctant to 
cover military operations in the Delta, the dailies have not 
been bashful about covering the purported cease-fire.  Most 
major newspapers awarded front page coverage to GON-Asari 
talks.  One paper headlined with news that the "U.S. directs 
citizens to quit Niger Delta," quoting related statements 
from DOS spokesman Richard Boucher. 
BROWNE