Terror threat: U.S. Embassy evacuates staff in Nigeria, warns citizens to keep low profile
The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria says it has permitted the voluntary departure of some of its staff and their family members, due to the heightened risk of terrorist threat in Abuja.
A statement posted on its official Facebook page on Wednesday noted that the Embassy in Abuja will, as a result, “have limited ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Nigeria”, while the consulate in Lagos will continue to provide routine and emergency services to its citizens in Nigeria.
The Embassy has also issued an advisory to U.S. citizens who remain, alerting them to have a personal emergency action plan that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
It has also warned against the use of vehicles marked with diplomatic numbers, urging citizens to “take advantage of commercial transportation options, if you wish to depart Nigeria.”
The latest advisory is coming on the heels of the security alert it issued on Sunday, warning of
elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja.
It listed possible targets to include government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities, and international organizations.
It was learnt that visa services in Abuja have been drastically scaled down, with applicants scheduled for interviews on Thursday, receiving email notifications to proceed to the consular office in Lagos
Reacting to the development, the Nigerian secret police, the Department of State Services, (DSS), acknowledged receiving the security advisory on Sunday and further advised the public to take all necessary precautions, and assist security agencies with useful information, regarding threats and suspicious criminal acts around them.
A statement by the DSS spokesman, also called for calm, confirming that it is working with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to maintain peace and order, in and beyond Abuja.
However, on Tuesday, Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, dismissed the security alert by the foreign embassies as a “clickbait,” saying it was merely for the attention of citizens of the issuing countries in Nigeria.
