US embassy cable - 05LAGOS945

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000945 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/19/2008 
TAGS: EPET, PGOV, PHUM, NI 
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: WEEKEND PRISON-BREAK AND HOSTAGE RELEASE 
 
REF: LAGOS 838 
 
Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne per 1.4 b and d 
 
1. (SBU)  Over the weekend, villagers in Bayelsa state 
released six oil workers (four Nigerians and two Germans) 
held hostage since June 14.  The villagers took the workers 
hostage to protest Shell's alleged breach of a 2002 
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the community. 
Negotiations to defuse the incident were led by Bayelsa state 
officials and the Niger Delta Development Corporation (NDDC). 
 During the talks, Bayelsa Deputy Governor Jonathan Goodluck 
requested the villagers to release the hostages and not 
resort to violence.  However, he also chided the oil major 
for "failing to honor" the MOU.  As is customary, Shell did 
not participate in the negotiations, viewing it as a "law and 
order" issue.  The state government committed to "review" the 
disputed MOU. 
 
2. (SBU) In a separate incident, gunmen stormed a Port 
Harcourt prison the morning of June 18, successfully 
releasing militia leader Soboma George and others.  According 
to the press, at least five persons were killed in the 
prison-break.  Press also reported the escapees raped a 
number of female inmates during the mayhem.  It is not clear 
whether the casualties were inmates, guards, or a mix of 
both.  George was formerly affiliated with the Niger Delta 
Vigilante Group (NDVG), led by Ateke Tom.  Sources tell us 
Tom turned on his former lieutenant, giving evidence to the 
police implicating George in a murder.  Last week, a court 
ruled there was enough evidence to warrant a trial and 
ordered George remanded to police custody, prompting the 
subsequent riot and escape.  Some press accounts maintain 
most of the escapees were rearrested.  However, other sources 
refute that claim. 
 
3. (C)  Comment:  These events are not extraordinary for the 
Niger Delta region.  Hostage taking is an all too familiar 
phenomenon involving oil companies, villagers, and all tiers 
of government.  These acts of misdirected frustration will 
likely continue until fundamental issues of economic 
development and governance are addressed. 
 
4. (C) Comment Cont'd:  The brazen prison-break was probably 
led by members (erstwhile or current) of one of the militia 
groups who helped rig the 2003 elections.  The break shows 
the rough and uncertain terrain the Delta has become.  In 
this matrix of groups, loyalties and alliances are fleeting. 
Your friend at dawn can become foe by dusk.  Thus, the 
militias are inherently unstable and that gives rise to 
increased violent outbursts.  That a militia could 
successfully attack a prison means the militias are becoming 
more sophisticated, more assertive, and perhaps less fearful 
of GON security authorities.  This could portend bolder 
militia forays in the future.  Meanwhile, we have seen scant 
evidence the GON is taking meaningful steps to disarm and 
demobilize militias in the Niger Delta region.  Quite the 
opposite, indications are that some senior political 
officials continue to finance and arm these gangs (reftel). 
If the GON does not move to eradicate the use of politicized 
"muscle," more such violent actions loom ahead. 
 
BROWNE