The United States Department of State has approved the evacuation of its citizens from Nigeria in order to prevent possible attacks on its citizens. This was revealed in a notice issued on Tuesday evening, as the US promised to provide additional assistance to its citizens in Nigeria. Meanwhile, the United States and the United Kingdom warned on Sunday of a possible terrorist attack in Abuja, targeting government buildings, places of worship, and schools, among other targets.
Due to imminent terrorist attacks in Nigeria’s political capital, the US Department of State has granted “authorized departure status” to American citizens and Embassy staff in Abuja. The US Department of State pledged to provide routine and emergency services to US citizens in Nigeria in a notice issued on Tuesday evening, according to Channels TV.
If they wanted to leave Nigeria, they should “keep a low profile” and “take advantage of commercial transportation options.” Due to the increased risk of terrorist attacks, the Department authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members on October 25, 2022.
“The United States Embassy in Abuja continues to have limited capacity to provide emergency assistance to United States citizens in Nigeria.” “All routine and emergency services are provided to US citizens in Nigeria by the US Consulate in Lagos,” according to the advisory. The Department also urged American citizens who are not in Nigeria to “reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and maritime crime” in some areas.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a reaction to the United States embassy’s security alert statement issued on Sunday, October 23, warning Abuja residents to be wary of terrorist attacks in some areas of the federal capital.
According to a statement made available to Legit.ng and issued by Peter Afunanya, the DSS spokesperson, Abuja residents have been urged not to panic but to remain vigilant and take the security warning seriously. Residents of Abuja, according to Afunanya, should also provide useful and relevant information to security agencies in order to help crack down on any imminent terror attack in the federal capital.
The IGP orders tight security in Abuja as residents fear a terrorist attack. Remember that the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, had ordered an increase in security in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to protect the nation’s capital from terrorists. Residents of the FCT have been living in fear since the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) invaded Kuje Prison on Tuesday, July 5. During the invasion, approximately 800 inmates, including all Boko Haram suspects in detention, were released.