The United States Department of State has granted “authorized departure status” to US citizens and Embassy staff in Abuja, Nigeria, citing imminent terrorist attacks in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The US and Britain recently issued security alerts of a possible terrorist attacks in Abuja, Nigeria’s FCT.
According to the security alerts on Sunday , the attacks would be targeted at government buildings, places of worship, schools, and other centres where large crowds gather.
The US Department of States, in a notice on Tuesday, pledged to provide routine and emergency services to US citizens in Nigeria.
The Department also advised them to “keep a low profile” and “take advantage of commercial transportation options” if they wish to depart Nigeria.
The advisory read: “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 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 Department also advised American citizens who are out of Nigeria to “reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and maritime crime” as some areas have increased risk.
Following the warnings, the Department of State Services (DSS) has urged residents of the Abuja metropolis and Nigerians in general, to remain calm, saying the security agencies are right on top of the situation.
Also, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has reassured Nigerians and visitors to Nigeria of their security, saying all the police formations are restrategizing security management within their jurisdictions to collectively nip security threats in the bud.
The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi said in a statement on Monday that the police, as the lead agency in internal security, will not take any threat intelligence, either actionable or not, for granted; thus, “there is no cause for alarm as all hands are on deck to collectively nip threats in the bud.”