Cablegate: Suspicious Incident

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

221002Z Aug 03

UNCLAS ABUJA 001434

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DS/DSS/ITA, DS/ICI/PII, DS/IP/AF
LAGOS FOR RSO

E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT: SUSPICIOUS INCIDENT

1. On Thursday, August 21, 2003 at approximately
0330hrs. a vehicle driven at a high rate of speed
almost ran head on into the local guard force
vehicle. As the fast moving vehicle swerved to
avoid the guard vehicle it ended up on a dead end
street in front of the Nigeria-Sao Tome &
Principe Joint Development Authority a quasi-
diplomatic facility and residence. The vehicle
was immediately abandoned by the two occupants
who fled into the bush. The vehicle was later
impounded and towed from the area by the National
Police.

2. The incident took place next to the Kingston
Residential Compound a USG housing compound
located in the Maitama suburb of Abuja where most
USG embassy residential compounds are located.

3. Eyewitness accounts from the local guards
indicated the vehicle was occupied by what
appeared to be two Nigerian male nationals and
that one of them was armed with a rifle.

4. RSO follow up investigation with the National
Police determined the vehicle involved was
stolen. Apparently, the individuals stole the
vehicle using a spoon to activate the ignition.
The National Police advised that after the guards
reported the incident, the individuals involved
stole another vehicle they abandoned during a
high-speed chase.

5. It is not unusual for incidents such as this to
take place in Abuja. The nefarious criminals
involved are still at large.

Roberts

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