Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ABUJA2256
2005-11-18 14:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:  

NIGERIAN POLICEMAN KILLED OUTSIDE USG HOUSING

Tags:  ASEC PTER NI CRIME 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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

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