SHOOT OUT NEXT DOOR TO A USG RESIDENTIAL

UNCLAS ABUJA 002295 SIPDIS DEPT FOR DS/IP/FPO - LEWIS, DS/IP/AF - FREDERICKS, AF/EX, AF/W, DS/ICI/PII E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC NI CRIME SUBJECT: SHOOT OUT NEXT DOOR TO A USG RESIDENTIAL COMPOUND REF: ABUJA 2256 ¶1. On November 22, 2005 between 2020 and 2230 hours the local police engaged five carjackers that were pursued to a house locate directly next door to a USG housing compound. Embassy local guards and attached Nigerian police assisted authorities with the loaning of their post procured ten million candlelight flood lights which permitted the police to engage the carjackers wounding four. One policeman was shot and wounded. There were no injuries to USG occupants, nor was there any collateral damage to the USG housing compound. The police permitted RSO Abuja to photograph the scene and the carjackers. ¶2. Due to the spike in crime that took place a week ago as mentioned in reftel, a guard reaction vehicle was parked in the immediate vicinity and was one of the reasons why the carjackers failed to escape, or to seek refuge at a USG compound. ¶3. By all accounts the police fired over one-hundred rounds of AK-47 munitions and launched at least a dozen tear gas rounds into the vacant house. RSO Abuja is very pleased that the police actions resulted in the apprehension of five carjackers who were later identified to be armed robbers. The District Police Officer in charge was interviewed on November 23, 2005 and he reported the carjackers were heading to a local fish bar in Maitama to rob it and steal the owner's vehicle. The police source stated that the lead carjacker and his captured gang of thieves were responsible for seven previous armed robberies in the area. ¶4. RSO Abuja believes that based on the information obtained from the police the small crime wave in our neighborhoods may diminish with the recent apprehensions of the carjackers. ¶5. The POC for this cable is ARSO Rich Verrier. CDA Furey