The following is an internal memo sent by Shell’s country chairman
I regret to inform you of an armed attack on a convoy of supply barges carrying diesel fuel, water and lubricants at Bille near Awoba, en route to SPDC�s Ekulama facility.
The convoy was attacked by an armed group in boats at about mid-day yesterday 2nd October. The confrontation that followed led to the death of military personnel from the Joint Task Force who were escorting the convoy and of a boatman on one of their vessels. Other military personnel were injured but none critically. There are further military personnel unaccounted for. There were 24 contract personnel on the barges and tugs, 16 of whom are still missing, mostly employees of West Africa Oilfield Services and Roberger International under contract to SPDC.
We deeply regret this incident and the loss of lives and our thoughts are with the families of the deceased as well as the management and staff of the contractor organisations during this period of uncertainty.
The Emergency Response Team with support from the SCiN Crisis Team is monitoring the situation and the SPDC Logistics department will carry out a full investigation into the incident as soon as possible. SPDC Logistics and Security departments are working together to evaluate methods of supplying our facilities and to change procedures where necessary to improve security.
We appreciate the feelings of apprehension and insecurity that this serious incident is likely to cause amongst staff. We advise all to go about their normal business but to continue to exercise vigilance, minimising exposure wherever possible.