SUSPICIOUS INCIDENT

UNCLAS ABUJA 001434 SIPDIS DEPT FOR DS/DSS/ITA, DS/ICI/PII, DS/IP/AF LAGOS FOR RSO E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: ASEC SUBJECT: SUSPICIOUS INCIDENT ¶1. On Thursday, August 21, 2003 at approximately 0330hrs. a vehicle driven at a high rate of speed almost ran head on into the local guard force vehicle. As the fast moving vehicle swerved to avoid the guard vehicle it ended up on a dead end street in front of the Nigeria-Sao Tome & Principe Joint Development Authority a quasi- diplomatic facility and residence. The vehicle was immediately abandoned by the two occupants who fled into the bush. The vehicle was later impounded and towed from the area by the National Police. ¶2. The incident took place next to the Kingston Residential Compound a USG housing compound located in the Maitama suburb of Abuja where most USG embassy residential compounds are located. ¶3. Eyewitness accounts from the local guards indicated the vehicle was occupied by what appeared to be two Nigerian male nationals and that one of them was armed with a rifle. ¶4. RSO follow up investigation with the National Police determined the vehicle involved was stolen. Apparently, the individuals stole the vehicle using a spoon to activate the ignition. The National Police advised that after the guards reported the incident, the individuals involved stole another vehicle they abandoned during a high-speed chase. ¶5. It is not unusual for incidents such as this to take place in Abuja. The nefarious criminals involved are still at large. Roberts