NIGERIA TERROR ALERT: US To Evacuate Embassy Staff, Citizens
The US State Department has announced its government's authorisation for the evacuation of all her government employees and their families from Nigeria over potential terrorist attacks.
The news of the approval for the evacuation is contained in its updated Nigeria travel advisory on Tuesday evening.
Both the United States and United Kingdom had on Sunday warned of a possible terrorist attack in the Nigerian capital Abuja, especially targeted at government buildings, places of worship and schools, among other spots.
“On October 25, 2022, the Department authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks,” the latest US advisory read.
“The U.S. Embassy Abuja continues to have limited ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Nigeria. The U.S. Consulate in Lagos is providing all routine and emergency services to U.S. citizens in Nigeria.”
The US State updated terror alert is coming on the heels of the Nigerian government dismissal of the security alert.
The Minister of Information, Laid Mohammed said Nigerians are safer now, especially as the Nigerian Armed Forces were on top of security challenges in the country.
“Our country is safer today than at any time in recent times, thanks to the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform.
“We do not discountenance the fact that terrorists, bandits and their kind would always want to do whatever it takes to disrupt our nation’s peace, security and stability. But our security forces have been proactive.”
Abuja, Nigeria's capital city came under heavy attacks months ago when Boko Haram raided the Kuje Prison Correctional centre and released tens of their members held at the facility. The terrorists group also attacked the Presidential Guards Brigade at Bwari, in which three elite officers were killed
A statement by the Nigerian Police on Monday, disclosed that the Force would review the US and UK security advisories while strengthening security structures across the country for proactiveness.
“The Nigeria Police Force hereby reassures Nigerians and all other residents and visitors in the country that it will effectively review the United States of America Embassy in Abuja’s security advisory which was issued, widely circulated, and published by the media on October 23, 2022, indicating an elevated risk of terror attacks in the country, particularly in the capital city of Abuja".
