US embassy cable - 05LAGOS276

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000276 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2006 
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, NI 
SUBJECT: DOZENS REPORTEDLY KILLED IN BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA 
 
 
Classified By: Pol-Econ Chief Ava Rogers per 1.4 b,d, and e 
 
 1.  (SBU) Summary:  The Nigerian Joint Military Task Force 
(JTF) along with local militia reportedly "stormed" the 
village of Odioma in Bayelsa State, February 19, killing 
dozens.  The operation was in response to the February 3 
deaths of 12 individuals, including four local councilmen, 
who were attempting to mediate a dispute between two 
communities over Shell oil company benefits.  End Summary. 
 
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Dozens Dead After Military, Police 
and Militia Invade Odioma 
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2.  (SBU) Press reported that about 200 men, some in 
camouflage and some identified as "local cult members" 
invaded Odioma on February 19.  20 speedboats and three 
gunboats reportedly backed the operation.  Press accounts of 
the number of people killed range from 40-80, with up to 200 
reportedly injured. 
 
3. (C) Bayelsa State Information Commissioner Oronto Douglas 
confirmed to Polspec that Bayelsa governor D.P. 
Alamieyeseigha ordered a joint team of soldiers, police, and 
local militia groups to "fish out" those responsible for the 
February 3 deaths.  Douglas declined comment on the number of 
people killed during the February 19 operation. 
 
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Shell Memorandum of (Mis) Understanding? 
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4. (C) On February 3, a delegation of 12 members were killed 
as they were attempting to mediate a territorial dispute 
between the Odioma and Obioku communities regarding land on 
which the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) was 
carrying out exploratory drilling. Don Boham, SPDC Corporate 
External Affairs Manager, told energyoff SPDC had an operable 
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Obioku community 
but that following the February 3 violence, SPDC withdrew its 
crew and would rely on the state and local governments to 
determine which group had a rightful claim to the land. 
According to the press, Odioma leaders affirm their claim to 
the land, but deny Odioma members were involved in the deaths 
of the mediation delegation, saying "unknown" gunmen killed 
them.  (Comment:  MOUs with energy companies frequently spawn 
violent territorial disputes between neighboring communities 
as each competes for the associated benefits.  End Comment.) 
 
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Government Establishes Investigative Committee 
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5. (SBU) Bayelsa Governor Alamieyesiegha told journalists 
that he resorted to military action when "all efforts to 
persuade the communities to embrace peace failed."   Our 
security contacts from the energy sector told us that the 
local police had been unable to stem the escalating tension 
between the two communities.  According to the press, the 
Senate has directed its committees on Defense, Police 
Affairs, Security, and Intelligence to visit the area and 
investigate the deaths. 
KRAMER