My driver and I were attacked without warning at about 8:45 Monday morning on Bill Clinton Dr. from the Abuja airport about 500m before the T-junction by four armed robbers. Multiple shots were fired at me and my driver. I received a flesh wound to the left shoulder, the driver, multiple gunshot wounds to his arms and legs. No vitals were hit. Five weapons were used, two 9mm Brownings pistols, one AK47 and two sawn-off police issue shotguns. After the first shots were fired, and the driver hit, the continued left through the T-junction on the highway to Abuja. Shots continued to be fired, our vehicle was overtaken, and I called the driver to a halt. All shots were fired at head height. The perpetrators were driving a white Peugeot 406 without license plates. Four shots, were fired through the front windscreen from behind, all side windows were shot out. One 9mm shot deflected off the central door pillar at head height.
The perpetrators demanded dollars. I carried no dollars. They took all valuables. At the time of the incident, the perpetrators were unaware that I had a separate wallet, in my travel bags, and laptop bag, containing US dollars, US credit cards, passport, etc. They did not conduct a body search, and did not remove my wristwatch.
The perpetrators removed the driver from the front seat, put him next to me in the back seat, where I applied a tourniquet to his right arm. He lost a large amount of blood, I estimate about 2 liters. We were then kidnapped and taken in the direction of Kaduna (Gwagwalada Rd), and a dollar ransom was discussed. I claimed I lived in Nigeria, and have no dollars. My driver confirmed these facts. The driver found out the perpetrators were Igbo-speakers, as was he, and pleaded in Igbo to be released. Both the driver and I were injured, the driver covered in blood, we were dropped off by the side of the road. A phone call was made, using my driver�s phone, by the perpetrators to their vehicle, and it was agreed to drop us off.
The driver of our vehicle had the two Brownings with him (reduces the time to reload), and the front passenger the AK47. The apparent leader had a shotgun with wooden stock sawn off through the stock (very short), while another accomplice, who was originally sitting in the left back seat and who fired the first shot also had a sawn-off shot-gun (half-barrel). Both shot-guns were single-barrel pump action Nigeria Police issue.
I took an okada to the nearest village clinic, with my driver sandwiched inbetween me and the okada-driver. Bukko clinic in Iddo Village provided primary treatment. Local police reports were made.
I hid one Motorola RAZR in a trouser pocket and called for Vmobile assistance after the perpetrators moved out of sight (I had surrendered my other mobile phone and wallet). Vmobile security and staff arrived shortly thereafter, and we were taken by ambulance to National Hospital.
The perpetrators were Igbo-speakers. They claimed they were �SSS�. Their modus operandi, and weapons, suggests active or former police service. They did not attempt to hide their identity. Their vehicle was unmarked. They only questioned the existence of �back-up� vehicle after assuming control of our vehicle, indicating a lack of concern, given their fire-power.
Particular circumstances that contributed to the incident included the complete absence of police on the roads to and from Abuja on Monday, as confirmed by Vmobile Security. My vehicle was the first to leave the airport from the Virgin Nigeria flight. The vehicle was a Toyota Prado 2004 model.