US embassy cable - 05LAGOS1549

UNCLAS LAGOS 001549 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/W 
STATE FOR INR/AA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, NI 
SUBJECT: DEADLY SHOOTOUT BETWEEN POLICE AND ARMY ROCKS LAGOS 
 
 
1.  At least three bystanders were killed and ten wounded, 
when an altercation between police and soldiers turned 
violent in the Ojuelegba district of Lagos on October 6. 
More than 50 street thugs, known as area boys, joined in the 
fray and caused the destruction of at least 40 vehicles and 
several local shops, according to press and police sources. 
The incident lasted approximately five hours, forcing 
businesses in the area to shut down. 
 
2.  The ultimate cause of the dispute is still unknown as 
many versions exist.  Several police authorities reported 
that the argument began on a bus in Surulere on the Lagos 
mainland.  A police officer had boarded the bus for free as a 
courtesy of the bus driver, but when the soldier attempted to 
do the same, he was rebuffed.  Municipal bus drivers 
customarily allow one civil servant to board without paying, 
but generally ask all others for full fare.  The soldier and 
the policeman argued over who would get the free fare, and 
when the bus reached the police station, the soldier 
attempted to continue the argument by going into the police 
station, but was barred entry.  The soldier then went to the 
nearby Abati Barracks to summon reinforcements to force 
entry.  A firefight ensued and innocent bystanders were 
caught in the crossfire. 
 
3.  Other sources report that trouble began when military 
passengers on the bus instructed the driver to ignore a 
police checkpoint; still others claim that a soldier driving 
a military vehicle was physically assaulted at a police 
checkpoint.  According to another version, the soldiers 
attacked the police station to free relatives held there. 
 
4.  Lagos State Governor Tinubu visited the scene, which he 
called "sad," and then convened an emergency State Security 
Council meeting, comprised of top members of the military and 
law enforcement, to discuss the event and initiate an 
investigation. 
WHOWE