US embassy cable - 05LAGOS1820

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TROOPS SILENCE BAYELSA RADIO, RAID GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Identifier: 05LAGOS1820
Wikileaks: View 05LAGOS1820 at Wikileaks.org
Origin: Consulate Lagos
Created: 2005-12-01 15:33:00
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Tags: PREL PGOV NI
Redacted: This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

011533Z Dec 05
UNCLAS LAGOS 001820 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/W 
STATE FOR INR/AA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, NI 
SUBJECT: TROOPS SILENCE BAYELSA RADIO, RAID GOVERNMENT HOUSE 
 
REF: LAGOS 1814 AND PREVIOUS 
 
1.  (SBU) The political crisis in Bayelsa intensified 
Wednesday morning when Federal troops occupied the 
state-owned radio station, Bayelsa Radio, and shut it down. 
Station workers were turned away when they reported to work 
early Wednesday.  Media sources quoted Bayelsa State 
officials denouncing the move as an assault on press freedom 
"...in furtherance of the attempted civilian coup d'etat." 
Federal authorities issued no explanation of the move, but 
Mission sources indicate the move was intended to silence 
broadcasts deemed to be inciting the Bayelsa populace against 
the Federal Government. 
 
2.  (SBU) Federal troops also occupied the governor's offices 
at the Bayelsa Government House and searched the premises and 
all personnel.  Some reports indicated the troops were 
searching for weapons stockpiled at the site, while others 
say the target was incriminating documents. 
 
3.  (U) Governor Alamieyeseigha spent the day at his country 
home in Amassoma, northwest of Yenagoa. 
BROWNE 

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