US embassy cable - 04ABUJA2165

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 002165 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR S/CT FOR REAP, DS/IP/AF 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER, NI 
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: 2004 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT 
 
REF: STATE 25841 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY 
 
1. (U) Post provides the following input for the 2004 Annual 
Terrorism Report.  The information is keyed to the questions 
asked in REFTEL: 
 
A. (U) Civilian rule returned to Nigeria with the 
inauguration of Olusegun Obasanjo as President in May 1999. 
Since his inauguration, President Obasanjo has pursued an 
active international agenda commensurate with Nigeria's 
perception of its role as a leader in both continental and 
world affairs. During 2004, published reports indicate that 
the GON actively pursued any threats of terrorism within its 
borders. 
 
B. (U) President Obasanjo's government was among the first 
to send condolences after the September 11 attacks.  More 
importantly, Nigeria steadfastly and publicly lent its 
diplomatic support to Coalition efforts against the Taliban 
and Al Qaida despite the domestic political ramifications 
for a country that is home to Africa's largest Muslim 
population. The GON did not publicly support the invasion of 
Iraq, however,it has taken steps to insure the security of 
Americans and American property in Nigeria.  The GON backed 
UN Resolutions 1267, 1333 and 1368 and has initiated 
legislative and regulatory steps to shore up its anti-money 
laundering regime in order to fight terrorism. The New 
Partnership for African Development (NePAD), an organization 
founded by Obasanjo and other African Heads of State, has 
condemned terrorism and called for concrete measures to be 
taken by African states to combat the scourge. Nigeria is 
signatory to seven counter-terrorism conventions and is 
reviewing other UN conventions with the view of acceding to 
these instruments. 
 
C. (U) Nigeria also has taken on a leading role in making 
counter-terrorism an important issue in West Africa, the 
sub-region where Nigeria's diplomatic and political 
influence is most pronounced.  Nigeria has also taken the 
lead in ECOWAS and the AU in sponsoring joint Intelligence 
and Security Conferences on counterterrorism. 
 
D. (U) There have been at least two serious terrorist 
related incidents in Nigeria over the last 12 months, both 
in Northern Nigeria and related to elements of the "Nigerian 
Taliban".  There is evidence that these incidents may have 
international connections. While current criminal law does 
not contain many specific anti-terrorism provisions, the 
penal code does proscribe acts of violence, which includes 
terrorism. The judiciary probably would prosecute diligently 
any cases of terrorism and would cooperate with the USG in 
prosecution despite some of the institutional shortcomings 
of the judiciary, i.e. understaffing, corruption, lack of 
equipment, large caseloads and inadequate pay. 
 
E. (SBU) The GON has limited expertise and equipment to 
intercept wire, oral, or electronic communications.  The 
State Security Service probably has the capability to 
conduct wire taps but the Nigerian Police Service does not. 
RSO review of national police statutes and checks with local 
security contacts determined there are no known specific GON 
laws that permit wire-tapping.   It is unknown whether any 
GON security service has the capability to intercept 
information technology communications. GON security elements 
can initiate surveillance and investigate suspected 
terrorist and terrorist's organizations at any time.  There 
is no special examining magistrate with specific powers in 
the CT area.  Intelligence would probably be permitted as 
evidence in a court of law.  In Nigeria, suspects must be 
charged within 48 hours by law, but, in practice, can be 
held as long as deemed necessary.  Access to suspects is not 
necessarily recorded but probably will be if visitor is not 
a Nigerian National.  Most criminals are photographed and 
fingerprinted by GON security elements but DNA samples are 
not taken due to resource constraints and a lack of 
scientific knowledge. 
 
F. (U) GON security services have been particularly 
cooperative and proactive when asked to investigate 
potential counterterrorism threats to U.S. interests. 
 
G. (SBU) The GON has taken receipt of at least one suspect 
terrorist this year for another cooperating third country. 
 
H. (U) The GON Intelligence and Security Services are 
working hard to improve intelligence sharing on C.T. issues. 
But, there have been no new developments by the GON 
concerning the creation of any counterterrorism units.   The 
Inspector General of Police responsible for command and 
control over the 312,000 plus person National Police Service 
has told RSO that his service has no hostage rescue 
capability.  He also mentioned that several members of his 
staff would be receiving individual training from Spain in 
the future but no definite dates for the training have been 
proposed. 
 
I. (U) The Nigeria Police Service during 2004 lead a joint 
task force responsible for tracking down, killing, and 
apprehending many members of an indigenous terrorist group 
commonly referred to by the government as the "Taliban". 
Members of the group were allegedly responsible for the 
killing of several police officers and over running a police 
station in Yobe State. 
 
J. (U) In addition to the so-called Taliban Operation in 
Yobe State, in Rivers state the GON established an 
additional task force to conduct internal security 
operations. 
 
K. (U) There have been no changes since the previous report. 
 
L. (U) There are no known legal impediments to prosecution 
or extradition of suspected terrorists.  However, members of 
both the police force and the judiciary have been 
susceptible to corruption in the past. Given the high-level 
GON awareness on counter-terrorism, it would be difficult 
for corrupt practices to impede the prosecution or 
extradition of any high-visibility terrorism cases. 
 
M. (U) There are areas, especially in Northern Nigeria, 
where terrorists could potentially operate; however there 
are no confirmed reports that this is occurring.  Post has a 
high degree of confidence that the GON would act on reports 
of terrorist activities. 
 
N. (SBU) The GON does not support international terrorism or 
terrorists. The GON clearly and repeatedly has condemned 
terrorism and followed up with concrete actions. However, 
some individuals and private groups in Nigeria have ties to 
and perhaps receive funding from sources in Sudan, Iran, 
Pakistan and Libya.  It is possible that some of these 
individuals or groups may have indirect links with extremist 
or terrorist organizations. 
 
O. (SBU) International terrorism activity exists but its 
extent is still being investigated. 
 
P. (SBU) Individuals with ties to Al Quida and Hezbollah are 
in country. 
 
Q. (U) The GON intelligence and security services have been 
working hard on improving their capabilities and have 
progressed.  Within the past 12 months, the GON has 
successfully concluded many high profile events that were 
potential targets for international terrorism.  In the past 
12 months, the GON has hosted the Commonwealth Heads of 
Government Meeting, All Africa Games, Visit by the Queen of 
England as well as many other Heads of State and 
Governments, many ECOWAS meetings; all have been 
successfully held with no untoward incidents of any type. 
FUREY