US embassy cable - 01ABUJA1196

UNCLAS ABUJA 001196 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR: DS/DSS, DS/OP/AF, DS/DSS/ITA AND AF/EX 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC, NI 
SUBJECT:  CRIMINAL INCIDENT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO CHANCERY 
COMPOUND. 
 
 
1.   (U) Summary: On Friday, May 18, 2001 at approximately 
2000 hours an armed car-jacking occurred in close proximity 
to the Chancery compound. End Summary 
 
 
2.    (U) The car-jacking occurred in front of the official 
residence belonging to the Government of Nigeria (GON) 
Minister of Aviation, located two blocks from the Chancery 
compound.  The vehicle car-jacked, a late model Toyota Land 
Cruiser sport utility vehicle, belonged to a Nigerian 
citizen visiting the Minister of Aviation  residence.  The 
car-jacking occurred after the driver dropped the owner of 
the vehicle in front of the Minister  residence.  The 
driver remained in the vehicle outside the Minister 
residence, where he 
was approached by at least two local 
male subjects driving a white Peugeot 505 (no further 
information).  The male subjects ordered the driver of the 
Land Cruiser to drive away from the area at gunpoint, 
directing him to remote area of Abuja.  The male subjects 
ordered the driver to remove his clothing, before fleeing 
with the vehicle and the driver  clothing 
 
 
3.  (U) The incident was reported to the police by the 
owner of the vehicle after he came out of the Minster's 
residence, and could not locate his vehicle and driver. 
The driver later provided additional details regarding the 
incident.  The Nigeria Police Force has established a 
presence on the one street entering the area, consisting of 
a tent, patrol car and officers. 
 
 
4.   (U) The incident occurred on the same street as the 
Chancery, beyond the view of the local guard force, but in 
an area where Embassy employees park POVs.  The section of 
the street passing in front of the Embassy compound is 
secured by anti-ram drop-arm barriers.  The local guard 
force personnel reported neither the robber  Peugeot 505 
nor the stolen Land Cruiser passed through the closed 
portion of the street.  While the local guard force and 
Nigerian Police presence likely deters criminals from 
operating right in front of the Embassy, the knowledge of a 
significant armed police presence about 100 yards away did 
nothing to deter these criminals in this case. 
 
 
5.   (U) The RSO has sent all Mission personnel a security 
advisory regarding the incident.  The security posture at 
the Chancery compound is good, due to the presence of the 
local guard force and Nigerian Police personnel posted 
immediately outside the Chancery.  During the core working 
hours, there is also a plainclothes surveillance detection 
presence working the area around the chancery.  During non- 
working hours the surveillance detection guards are 
assigned to Post  residential compounds. 
 
 
6. (U) However, the local guard force presence is 
inadequate to cover areas beyond the drop arm barrier 
gates.  Many mission employees (including USDH) are forced 
to park in areas away from the Embassy compound and beyond 
the line of local guards' sight.  The RSO is considering 
additional local guard force personnel to ensure the 
security of Mission personnel walking to/from their 
vehicles. 
 
 
7. (U) Direct any questions regarding the above matter to 
Michael E. Bishop, RSO, U.S. Embassy Abuja, Nigeria at 234- 
9-523-0960. 
 
 
Jeter