US embassy cable - 05LAGOS284

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