Due to the “increased risk of terrorist attacks there,” the State Department has ordered non-emergency US embassy workers and their families in Abuja, Nigeria, to leave the nation.
Reconsider traveling to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and maritime crime, the department advised in a “Level 3” travel advisory for the entire nation.
The State Department authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members earlier this week after alerting the public to impending terrorist attacks in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria.
Its October 23 advisory described the alleged plots as having “targets that may include, but are not limited to, government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping centers, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities, and international organizations.”
The State Department added 15 additional Nigerian states to its “Do Not Travel” list on Thursday due to risks including terrorism, kidnapping, and criminal activity committed at sea.
The UK government issued a similar warning to British citizens, advising against all travel to 12 Nigerian states and against unnecessary travel to the nation’s capital.
A well-known mall in Abuja shut its doors on Thursday for the safety of its employees and patrons, according to the management, who added that they were reviewing the security situation with the relevant authorities.
There are “no imminent threats” in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, according to Usman Alkali Baba, the country’s police chief.
As a result, “The Inspector General of Police allayes the fear of residents in the FCT and advises them to go about their lawful businesses and normal social lives/engagements,” according to a statement from his office on Thursday. “All hands are on deck to nip any security threat in the bud and respond to distress calls promptly.”
The statement continued, “The IGP similarly reiterates the Nigeria Police’s commitment to eliminating all threats, as well as protection of lives and property of all residents of the country.
While the nation struggles to contain motorbike riding gangs locally known as “bandits” who carry out lethal attacks on communities in the northwest, insurgency has persisted in northeastern Nigeria.
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In its southern region, Nigeria also struggles with widespread kidnappings for ransom and maritime crimes.
In a prison raid in the nation’s capital in July, hundreds of prisoners were freed. All Boko Haram-related prisoners, according to the authorities, escaped during the assault.
