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Nigerian militants: We know where abducted Israeli is held
By Barak Ravid, Yossi Melman, and Assaf Uni, Haaretz Correspondents and Reuters
Tags: Nigeria, Israel, Kidnappings

The spokesman for a Nigerian militant group said Thursday that the group knew where an Israeli kidnapped by gunmen was being held, but would not work for his release.

The spokesman, who named himself as Jomo Gbomo, wrote in an email to Haaretz that his group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta [MEND], knows that that the abductee is diabetic and had asked his kidnappers to provide him with the appropriate medical treatment.

The spokesman said that the separatist group does not plan on working for the abductee's release, arguing that the Israeli government had failed to act upon the group's proposal Wednesday that it officially request the militants' aid on this matter.
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Gbomo also wrote in the email that his organization is not behind the kidnapping, as it only acts against oil and security companies and the government of Nigeria, but does not act against building companies.

It is now known that the man is being held by a group of thieves demanding a ransom, and that the background to the kidnapping is criminal rather than motivated by politics or terrorism.

Gbomo also expressed his anger that the Web site of Arutz Sheva had referred to his group as a terrorist organization, and he called on them to apologize.

Lee Golder, Chief Executive of the abductee's employer, Gilmore, said that the situation is sensitive but refused to add further details. He called on the Israeli media to behave with restraint, saying that everything written about the case is likely to hinder the chances of freeing the man.

The group had denied on Wednesday that it was behind the kidnap, but did say at the time it would be ready to assist in locating him if the Israeli embassy appealed for such help.

The organization, a militant Nigerian indigenous peoples group, said it had no part in the kidnapping of a 60-year-old project manager, who was abducted by armed gunmen near his home late Tuesday in the Nigerian city of Port Harcourt.

"MEND has no problems with construction companies but only with oil companies, military and Nigerian government," a source affiliated with the group told Haaretz. "If the Israeli people solicit our assistance through your ambassador, we are willing to help."

Two weeks ago gunmen from the group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), a militant Nigerian indigenous peoples group, surrounded an oil refinery belonging to Shell Oil.

Twelve gunmen and a Nigerian army officer were killed in the attack.
After the attack, MEND released a statement calling on all foreigners to leave the Niger delta area, and Port Hancourt in particular, saying they were in mortal danger.

Israeli officials: Nigeria authorities working to free abductee

Meanwhile, Israeli representatives in Nigeria who met with the local governor in a region where the abduction occurred said Wednesday that authorities are working to bring about his release.

"The man, an Israeli, was abducted in his house last night by gunmen," said Rita Inoma-Abbey, spokeswoman for the Rivers state police. No one has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and no demands have been made for the man's release.

The Israeli Embassy in Lagos has reportedly sent a team to the city to deal with the matter.

The abducted businessman had reportedly just returned from an event held at the home of a Nigerian governor when he was abducted.

The businessman, who has lived and worked in the country for a number of years, has recently become involved in a $70 million construction project of Nigeria's central bank building. The company, which was once owned by late businessman Robi Shapira, is currently run by two Israelis, Avi Abukasis and Eli Golder. There are an estimated 700-800 Israelis currently in Nigeria, most of whom are employees of companies seeking to further business interests in the country.

Inoma-Abbey, spokeswoman for the Rivers state police, said the Israeli's driver had been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the abduction. No group has claimed responsibility.

Israel's ambassador in Nigeria, Moshe Ram, traveled to Port Harcourt to meet authorities in the hope of resolving the situation as quickly as possible, an embassy spokesman said.

Ram met on Wednesday morning with the Nigerian governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi. Following the meeting, Ram told Haaretz that the governor is taking various steps to bring about the Israeli man's release. Amaechi has gained a reputation as a tough negotiator who has refused in the past to pay ransom for the release of kidnapped foreign nationals.

The businessman's family has set up a "war room" in their home in Ra'anana, seeking updates on the latest developments through various channels. "We are in constant touch on the telephone with the Foreign Ministry, the embassy, the [Israeli] police, the police in Nigeria, and the company in which he works," said a close friend of the abducted businessman. "We still don't know anything, and so we prefer not to make any statements to the press. All the authorities are doing the best they can and we want to believe that everything will work out in the end."

Nigeria has suffered from a recent spate of kidnappings of foreigners, with over 200 having been reported over the past year.

Two weeks ago gunmen from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), a militant Nigerian indigenous peoples group, surrounded an oil refinery belonging to Shell Oil.

Twelve gunmen and a Nigerian army officer were killed in the attack.
After the attack, MEND released a statement calling on all foreigners to leave the Niger delta area, and Port Hancourt in particular, saying they were in mortal danger.

Also two weeks ago, Israeli ambassador to Nigeria Moshe Ram met with the Nigerian Chief of Police and passed him information relating to Hezbollah's recent threat to kidnap Israelis worldwide.

Israeli security officials earlier this month warned Israelis living and working in West Africa that Hezbollah intended to carry out abductions there. In recent months, Jewish and Israeli institutions outside Israel have bolstered security in anticipation of a possible Hezbollah attack, as have Israeli aircraft and ships.

Security experts said Hezbollah is more likely to attempt a terrorist attack in Third World countries, especially in South America, India and southeast Asia, than in developed European countries or in North America.

Most Israelis working in Nigeria hire armed personnel to protect them

"Nigeria is a blessed country, with oil, gas and other natural resources that bring a lot of money to the government," says an Israeli businessman who has lived and worked in the country for several years and prefers to remain anonymous.

The businessman adds that the fact that corruption is rampant in Nigeria only helps business, as it allows contractors to gouge prices on their contract sums and to make huge profits.

There is no need to use your own money since the government pays 30% of the contract sum up front in addition to a monthly payment according to the work that has been completed. The basic salary of an Israeli employee in Nigeria is around $7,000 plus a yearly bonus of two to three salaries. The company pays for all of his needs including meals, medical care, insurance, transportation, staff such as driver, cleaning person and cook, as well as flights to Israel (every 2-3 months).

Apart from the fact that there are problems with electricity and water supplies, the security situation in the country is very bad. Government money is not reaching the common citizen in Nigeria and millions are living in poverty, which creates a huge security threat as people are forced to steal and rob foreigners.

Apart from that, in the southern part of the country where the oil-producing states are located (such as Rivers state), there is a growing movement for the emancipation of the Niger Delta ("MEND").

This is a militant indigenous movement dedicated to armed struggle against what the groups considers the exploitation and oppression of the Niger Delta's population and the degradation of the natural environment by foreign multinational corporations and Nigerian government involved in the extraction of oil in the Niger Delta. MEND has been linked to attacks on foreign-owned petroleum companies in Nigeria and abductions of foreign citizens.

Most of the Israelis working in the Niger Delta area are taking security precautions in order to protect them. Armed personnel can be found in most construction sites and private residences. They accompany Israelis when they travel as well.

The security threat exists from Lagos to Port Harcourt, but it is less pronounced in the north and around Abuja (the capital), which has not yet witnessed kidnapping for ransom. Threats against Israelis from Al-Qaida and Hezbollah have also been reported.

Foreigners, including Israelis, must always remain alert. You never know from where the threat will strike. A small boy approaching your car may then flash a gun and demand you get out and give him the keys.

The bottom line is you always need to keep a low profile, not draw attention to the fact that you are Israeli, not show you have money simply watch your back.

As Israelis, we are always saying ?it will not happen to us," but what we are going to say now that an Israeli has been kidnapped here and no one knows why?


Related articles:
  • Israel warns nationals of Hezbollah kidnap threat abroad
  • Israeli national among six charged with spying in Nigeria
  • Following a Haaretz expose, Nigeria may cancel arms deal with Israeli firm
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