US embassy cable - 05ABUJA2256

UNCLAS ABUJA 002256 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/CC, DS/IP/OPO 
AND DS/IP/AF 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC, PTER, NI, CRIME 
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN POLICEMAN KILLED OUTSIDE USG HOUSING 
         COMPOUND 
 
1. SUMMARY: This is one of many serious criminal 
incidents that have taken place in less than three days 
in Abuja. On November 16, 2005 at 1920 hours, a 
Nigerian uniformed policeman was shot and killed just 
outside of a USG housing compound. END SUMMARY 
 
2. DETAILS: On November 16, 2005 at 1920 hours, an anti 
robbery police vehicle stopped to check out a white 
Toyota car occupied by four men that was parked on the 
street bordering the Harvard Housing Compound.  One 
uniform policeman exited the vehicle to do a spot check 
and the occupants immediately opened fire killing the 
policeman and then driving over his body.  Harvard 
compound is surrounded by a nine foot high wall and 
none of the shots were fired in the direction of the 
housing.  Harvard compound is also the largest housing 
compound in the inventory with 14 town house units; a 
significant number of school age children also reside 
on the compound. RSO investigation determined the 
vehicle, according to police sources was occupied by 
armed robbers who escaped. 
 
3. RSO Abuja reports that the shooting incident of the 
policeman outside the Harvard housing compound is 
simply one of many that have been taking place in the 
city as this post enters the holiday season.  In the 
previous thirty days some of the recent criminal 
incidents are as follows: 
 
  -    Several carjackings of diplomatic vehicles in 
     Abuja proper with shots fired in most cases; 
  -    Shots being fired in the night, every night near 
     all USG housing compounds; 
  -    Several running gun battles between police and 
     armed robbers within 100 yards of many embassy 
     residences; one gun battle took place over a thirty 
     minute period of time resulting in many employees 
     activating their interior panic alarms. 
 
4. RSO Abuja is monitoring the situation closely. RSO 
Abuja has developed a program where during the hours of 
darkness two guard response vehicles on a rotating 
basis take up static positions at our largest compounds 
which provide not only additional guard coverage but an 
armed police presence. Post has been pro-active 
concerning security and has procured camera housings 
that appear to be CCTV with flashing red LEDS that have 
been activated on every compound.  In addition, post 
has procured four movable mannequins to supplement 
local guard coverage but they have yet to arrive.  Once 
mannequins arrive they will be placed on various 
compounds on a rotating basis during the hours of 
darkness dressed in guard uniforms. 
 
5.  RSO has briefed the local guard force as well as 
assigned police officers to remain vigilant and met 
with the appropriate district police commanders.  RSO 
Abuja advises there have been no reports of pre- 
operational surveillance conducted yet but there is no 
doubt that our activities have been monitored by the 
criminal element.  RSO Abuja believes that due to the 
high defensive posture and pro-active measures taken by 
post concerning residential compound security, we have 
yet to be targeted. 
 
7.  The POC for this cable is ARSO Rich Verrier who can 
be reached at 234-9-523-0916. 
FUREY