GERMAN DIPLOMATIC VEHICLE ATTACKED IN LAGOS

UNCLAS LAGOS 000284

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DS/DSS/ITA, DS/ICI/PII, DS/IP/AF, DS/ICI/CI, AF/EX
ABUJA FOR RSO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT: GERMAN DIPLOMATIC VEHICLE ATTACKED IN LAGOS



1. SUMMARY: On 02/19/2005, armed gunmen in Lagos attacked a
German Consulate armored vehicle. The German vehicle
sustained damage however the German Consulate driver was able
to evade the attackers and return to Victoria Island. No
injuries were reported.


2. DETAILS: On 02/23/2005, RSO was advised through a
Canadian security contact of an incident, which occurred over
the weekend involving a German Consulate vehicle, bearing red
diplomatic tags (52CD77),being attacked and fired upon in
Lagos. On 02/24/2005, RSO Lagos visited the German Consulate
and spoke with their Anti-Fraud consular officer, who was a
passenger in the vehicle during this incident. RSO was also
permitted to inspect the vehicle involved. RSO was advised
of the following information:

At approximately midnight, 02/22/2005, a German Consulate
armored vehicle (a Mercedes Benz model G320, similar to a
SUV, level of armor appears to be similar to our FAV level)
was returning to Victoria Island after an evening visit to
the international airport. While passing through the Oshodi
neighborhood a minivan bus, white in color and possibly
marked as a city public transportation bus, stopped directly
in front of the German vehicle and two black males (no
further description) alighted from the minivan with shoulder
weapons (no further description). One male fired at least
one round into the air and the other male immediately fired
into the front right tire of the German vehicle. The
Mercedes-Benz was equipped with run-flat tires, which appear
to have functioned very well. The German Consulate driver
reacted by immediately driving around the vehicle and
proceeding onto the Third Mainland Bridge toward Victoria
Island. The minivan pursued the vehicle onto the bridge and
continued to fire upon the German vehicle. It is believed at
least six to eight individuals were in the minivan. The
German vehicle sustained damage to the front right and the
left rear tires and at least eight rounds struck the lower
body of the German vehicle. One round dented but failed to
penetrate the reinforced fuel tank. No rounds penetrated the
vehicle passenger compartment. The minivan ceased its
pursuit of the German vehicle somewhere on the Third Mainland
Bridge prior to Ikoyi Island. The German Consulate advised
they have reported this incident to the police authorities.


3. RSO Lagos was also advised that on 02/14/2005, a
representative from the German Consulate had delivered a
deportee to the authorities at the airport and had been
threatened by this deportee's associates while at the
airport. At this time it cannot be confirmed whether or not
these two incidents are related.


4. The German Consulate has temporarily banned all travel to
the Lagos mainland. RSO Lagos was advised that they would
implement a security escort vehicle with armed police for
future movements to the mainland.


5. RSO COMMENT: RSO cannot comment regarding the motive of
the attackers or whether this incident was a crime of
opportunity, specifically targeted a German Consulate vehicle
or the individuals in the vehicle, or specifically targeted a
diplomatic vehicle. This route is the primary route between
the Lagos diplomatic consulates and the airport and no
alternate routes are realistic during the evening hours. The
original attack site, Oshodi, is an extremely critical crime
area with no police presence at night however other possible
routes only lead through similar or even more dangerous
neighborhoods. The German vehicle was not accompanied with
an escort vehicle. Our standard for evening travel to the
airport remains at an armored vehicle accompanied by a LGF
Mobile Patrol vehicle occupied by two LGF and two armed
police officers. RSO Lagos has discussed this incident with
several security representatives from other consulates and
all have agreed to maintain our security meetings and
frequent contact to facilitate the exchange of security
related information.


6. RSO will report via SEPTEL and significant information
developed. The point of contact in this matter is RSO Kevin
Maloy at (office) 234-1-261-1303.

KRAMER