US embassy cable - 05ABUJA2031

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 002031 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/CC, DS/IP, DS/IP/AF, AF/EX, AF/W 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2006 
TAGS: ASEC, AEMR, AMGT, CASC, NI, BELLVIEW 
SUBJECT: SITREP #1 - 10/23/2005 1130 HOURS 
 
REF: A. ABUJA 2029 
     B. LAGOS 1643 
 
Classified By: ARSO Rich Verrier for reason 1.4 (d) 
 
 1.  (C) SUMMARY:  The EAC reconvened and was chaired by 
Ambassador Campbell.  Nigerian officials originally declared 
that Bellview flight B3-210 crashed in the Atlantic Ocean but 
have now stated that it crashed in Oyo state.  The suspected 
place of impact is well northwest of the flight plan.  This 
has led to speculation that the flight was hijacked but Post 
is unable to confirm this information.  Bellview airways held 
a press conference and read the names listed on the manifest. 
The Bellview spokesperson read Joe Haydon's name from the 
list.  DAO GON Military contacts stated that there were no 
survivors on the B3-210 flight however, at a later time, it 
was reported that there were survivors but Post has been 
unable to confirm this information with eyewitness reports. 
 
 
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WHO WAS ON BOARD 
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2.  (C) It had been reported that the Israeli Ambassador to 
Nigeria was on board however a review of the manifest was 
conducted and his name was not on the list.  It was also 
earlier reported that the Nigerian Inspector General of 
Police for the National Police service --but RSO Abuja was 
able to contact the Personal Staff Officer who confirmed that 
the IGP was not on the flight-- and other high ranking 
Nigerian government officials, senior ECOWAS officials to 
include Executive Secretary, General Diawara and a couple of 
British expatriates were on board the flight.  Post has 
received a fax copy of the manifest in document form and will 
be checking the list of passengers for AmCits and other 
notables. 
 
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RESCUE EFFORTS 
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3.  (C) It now appears that the official Nigerian sea search 
and rescue teams have stood down.  Post is not aware of what 
actions the Federal Aviation Administration of Nigeria (FAAN) 
has taken in response to the reported inland crash site.  The 
Management section is looking into the possibility of 
chartering helicopter support to ferry out supplies and USG 
personnel should the situation warrant such actions. 
 
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EMBASSY AND CONSULATE CONSULAR RECOVERY TEAMS 
--------------------------------------------- 
4. (SBU) The Consulate in Lagos has sent a team to the area 
of the crash, although we are not aware of the actual crash 
site.  We believe it may be in Essie, Karwawa state.  Embassy 
Abuja is likely going to send two vehicles to the area while 
we actively try to get an exact location.  Representatives 
from DOD, Consular, RSO will respond to the site.  RSO Office 
is reaching out to their contacts to have the teams gain 
access to the crash site.  Post is sending a casket and body 
bags with the React Teams. 
 
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SUPPORT FOR THE FAMILY AND POST 
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5.  (SBU) Post's Nurse Practitioner stayed the entire night 
with the family of Major Haydon, at his residence. The senior 
US Military official in the Nigeria, DATT Colonel Sue Ann 
Sandusky also spent a majority of the night with the Haydon 
family as well.  Post has made contact with the Department to 
expedite the arrival of Regional Psychiatrist Barry Levine 
from Nairobi and is working with the GON to have Dr. Levine 
receive an airport visa, which is against normal protocol. 
Once Post has officially determined that Major Haydon's 
mother and father have been notified the DOD Casualty 
Assistance team will step up their efforts in support of the 
Haydon's. 
 
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AIRPORT OPERATIONS LAGOS AND ABUJA 
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6. (U) The airport in Abuja is open but we are receiving 
conflicting reports of the operations of the airport in 
Lagos.  Although no official word has been issued by the GON 
Post is receiving reports that the Lagos domestic terminal is 
closed while the international terminal is open.  Assistant 
Secretary Frazer has landed in Lagos. 
 
SIPDIS 
 
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KEY CONCERNS 
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7. (C) Also of concern to Post is that one of President 
Obsanjo's wives, Stella, died in Spain.  A serious concern is 
that some of President's closest advisors and allies were on 
the B3-210 and that the flight was allegedly way off its 
normal course.  Interestingly a number of dissidents in Lagos 
have been arrested.  It is unclear if the arrests are in 
response to the crash of flight B3-210. 
CAMPBELL