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Warden Message: Violent Criminal Activity Lagos, Caution Advised
Consular Affairs Bulletins
Sub-Saharan Africa - Nigeria”
2 Jul 2007

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U.S. Embassy Abuja and U.S. Consulate General Lagos issued the following Warden Message on July 2:

This Warden Message is being issued to advise American citizens that there has been a recent increase in the reporting of criminal activity impacting the expatriate community in Lagos. This reporting indicates a trend involving armed criminal gangs targeting small hotels, guesthouses and restaurants on Ikoyi and Victoria Island. During these attacks the criminals enter the property by force or stealth, take control of it and proceed to rob the guests and staff of their valuables. In the case of hotels, the criminals have gone door-to-door in a methodical manner and forced their way into individual rooms. In one recent case, an American citizen was killed after armed robbers entered his hotel room.

The U.S. Consulate General Lagos has advised its American citizen personnel and family members to take the following actions if they are the victims of a robbery attempt:

Try to stay calm. Don’t make any sudden movements to upset the robber;
Do exactly as you are told, DO NOT resist or make eye contact!
If you have to move, tell the robber what you are going to do and why;
Don’t be a hero. It’s better to lose your money than your life;
Give the robber time to leave;
Note his direction of travel when he leaves;
Try to get a description of his vehicle ONLY if you can do so without exposing yourself to harm.

There also has been an increase in reliable reports of armed robberies in and around Ikoyi, but more specifically the area of Osborne Road-Dolphin Estate. The criminals time their attacks to coincide with traffic traveling between Ikoyi and the mainland in the early evening to capitalize on the inevitable congestion and lower moving traffic. Criminals have previously set up roadblocks masquerading as police checkpoints and used other ruses to ambush unsuspecting motorists traveling between the airport and the islands in the Kingsway Road-2nd Avenue area and along the Third Mainland Bridge, particularly in the early morning hours (0400-0500).

The U.S. Consulate General Lagos has advised its American citizen personnel and family members to take the following precautions to avoid becoming the victim of a carjacking or robbery while in their vehicle:

In traffic, look around for possible avenues of escape;

While difficult in Lagos, do your best to keep some distance between you and the vehicle in front so you can maneuver easily if necessary – about one-half of your vehicle’s length. (You should always be able to see the rear tires of the vehicle in front of you);

When stopped, use your rear and side view mirrors to stay aware of your surroundings. Also keep your doors locked and windows up. This increases your safety and makes it more difficult for an attacker to surprise you.

The following actions should be taken if one becomes the victim of a carjacking or robbery while in a car:

In most carjacking situations, the attackers are interested only in the vehicle – give up the car freely, do not resist or argue;
Try to stay calm;
Make the attacker aware if children are present;
Listen carefully to all directions;
Make no quick or sudden movements that the attacker could construe as a counter attack and avoid eye contact;
Always keep your hands in plain view and tell the attacker of every move in advance;
If prompted, get out of car while keeping your hands in plain view at all times;
On demand, offer cash;
Depart the scene as soon as possible.

We continue to advise all Americans to review their security procedures, remain vigilant to their surroundings, and report specific incidences of targeted violence to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the U. S. Consulate General in Lagos at the numbers below.