..warns citizens to reconsider traveling to Nigeria.
…FG dismisses security alert, says Nigeria is ‘safer today’.
The United States on Tuesday authorised the departure of diplomats from Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, “due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks.”
This was disclosed in a travel advisory by the US State Department.
The State Department advised US citizens to reconsider non-essential travels to Nigeria due to concerns over crime, terrorism, civil unrest.
Specifically, the State Department warned US citizens to avoid traveling to “Borno, Yobe, and northern Adamawa states due to terrorism and kidnapping.
“Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara states due to kidnapping.
“Coastal areas of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt) due to crime, kidnapping, and maritime crime.”
This is coming three days after the US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria issued a security alert to US nationals residing in the Federal Capital Territory.
“There is an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja. Targets may include, but are not limited to, government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities, and international organizations,” the security alert read.
The embassy urged Americans to “avoid all non-essential travel or movement. Stay alert. Avoid crowds. Review your personal security plans and keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency. Carry proper identification.”
The US government said the U.S. embassy will offer reduced services to U.S. citizens in Nigeria. until further notice.
The warning by the US government has been repeated by Britain, Canada and Australia. However, the federal government has dismissed the security alerts.
The minister of culture and information, Lai Mohammed, said yesterday that the country is safer than it has been in recent times.
“Terrorists have been hard hit and put on the run. Bandits have been decimated and scattered. Our country is safer today than at any time in recent times, thanks to the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform,” the minister said.
“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. Nigerians too should continue to be alert but must not panic. Like I said in a recent statement, as far as insecurity is concerned, the worst is over for Nigeria.”
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