NIGERIAN POLICEMAN KILLED OUTSIDE USG HOUSING

UNCLAS ABUJA 002256 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/CC, DS/IP/OPO AND DS/IP/AF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PTER NI CRIME SUBJECT: NIGERIAN POLICEMAN KILLED OUTSIDE USG HOUSING COMPOUND ¶1. SUMMARY: This is one of many serious criminal incidents that have taken place in less than three days in Abuja. On November 16, 2005 at 1920 hours, a Nigerian uniformed policeman was shot and killed just outside of a USG housing compound. END SUMMARY ¶2. DETAILS: On November 16, 2005 at 1920 hours, an anti robbery police vehicle stopped to check out a white Toyota car occupied by four men that was parked on the street bordering the Harvard Housing Compound. One uniform policeman exited the vehicle to do a spot check and the occupants immediately opened fire killing the policeman and then driving over his body. Harvard compound is surrounded by a nine foot high wall and none of the shots were fired in the direction of the housing. Harvard compound is also the largest housing compound in the inventory with 14 town house units; a significant number of school age children also reside on the compound. RSO investigation determined the vehicle, according to police sources was occupied by armed robbers who escaped. ¶3. RSO Abuja reports that the shooting incident of the policeman outside the Harvard housing compound is simply one of many that have been taking place in the city as this post enters the holiday season. In the previous thirty days some of the recent criminal incidents are as follows: - Several carjackings of diplomatic vehicles in Abuja proper with shots fired in most cases; - Shots being fired in the night, every night near all USG housing compounds; - Several running gun battles between police and armed robbers within 100 yards of many embassy residences; one gun battle took place over a thirty minute period of time resulting in many employees activating their interior panic alarms. ¶4. RSO Abuja is monitoring the situation closely. RSO Abuja has developed a program where during the hours of darkness two guard response vehicles on a rotating basis take up static positions at our largest compounds which provide not only additional guard coverage but an armed police presence. Post has been pro-active concerning security and has procured camera housings that appear to be CCTV with flashing red LEDS that have been activated on every compound. In addition, post has procured four movable mannequins to supplement local guard coverage but they have yet to arrive. Once mannequins arrive they will be placed on various compounds on a rotating basis during the hours of darkness dressed in guard uniforms. ¶5. RSO has briefed the local guard force as well as assigned police officers to remain vigilant and met with the appropriate district police commanders. RSO Abuja advises there have been no reports of pre- operational surveillance conducted yet but there is no doubt that our activities have been monitored by the criminal element. RSO Abuja believes that due to the high defensive posture and pro-active measures taken by post concerning residential compound security, we have yet to be targeted. ¶7. The POC for this cable is ARSO Rich Verrier who can be reached at 234-9-523-0916. FUREY