ATTEMPTED VEHICLE HIJACK AND FATAL SHOOTING



Approximately 2000 hrs 05 Nov 08. Ikoyi. An expatriate and his Nigerian wife had left their apartment on Glover road and were on their way to have dinner at a local restaurant. They were being driven by their driver in a 4 door SUV. The wife was sitting in the rear right hand seat and the husband in the left. On reaching the junction of Glover and Probyn Rd, Ikoyi, the vehicle was intercepted by 2 men on a motor bike of which at least one was armed with a firearm. One of the men approached the driver’s door whilst the other opened the rear right hand door, gaining access to the passenger compartment. He then proceeded to intimidate the passengers and demanded their mobile phones. For reasons unknown, the driver tried to speed off with the armed robber still partially in the vehicle. A shot was fired and although in the commotion it was not initially known, the wife had been shot through the side of the chest and was bleeding. The car sped off to ISOS Clinic on Ozumba Mbadiwe. The wife was reportedly dead on Arrival.



Comment:



1. It would appear that the doors of the vehicle were unlocked



2. The driver’s efforts to break contact with the criminals possibly precipitated the escalation in violence



3. The armed men executed their attack from a motorbike and this has been a recent and common trend



4. As Christmas approaches there has historically been an increase in armed violence. Travellers and residents should maintain heightened vigilance and exercise caution



Lessons from this unfortunate incident:



1. Always ensure that your doors are locked, especially when you are in slow traffic



2. Keep your valuables in the trunk (boot) and not inside the vehicle.



3. Try as much as possible to stay in the inside lane and avoid the extreme outside lane when driving late nights.



4. If you ever fall victim, dont play smart, just co-operate.



5. Be vigilant at all times, your safety starts with YOU.



God be with us all !