U.S. Intensifies Evacuation of Embassy Staff, Family Members From Abuja
The United States Embassy in Nigeria has intensified the evacuation of its staff, ordering an immediate departure of U.S. government employees and their families from Abuja as it continues to reiterate threats of an imminent terror attack.
In a fresh security alert issued on Thursday, the embassy described the threats as heightened, warning its citizens not to travel to Nigeria at this time.
“The Travel Advisory for Nigeria has been updated due to a heightened risk of terrorist attacks in Abuja. We recommend U.S. citizens do not travel to Abuja at this time. In addition, on October 27, 2022, the Department ordered the departure of family members of U.S. government employees from Abuja due to heightened risk of terrorist attacks,” the alert warned.
It added that U.S. citizens departing Abuja should consider using available commercial options while those unable to do so could reach the U.S. consulate in Lagos.
“The U.S. Embassy Abuja is only able to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Abuja. The U.S. consulate general in Lagos is providing all routine and emergency services to U.S. citizens in Nigeria,” the statement added.
While several embassies of foreign countries, including the UK, Canada and Australia, continue to herald the risk of terrorist attacks, President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime declared Nigerians need not worry with the promise that security agencies are working tirelessly to secure the country and avert threats.
Information minister Lai Mohammed said on Thursday that the alerts by foreign embassies were unverified and blamed media outlets, including social media platforms, for “spreading the misleading alerts and causing panic.”
“Suddenly, this alert found its way into the media, both new and traditional, thus creating panic in the polity. Schools were shut. Businesses were closed. Travel plans were altered. Lives were disrupted,” Mr Mohammed claimed. “No one cared to find out about the authenticity of these alerts. They just published, got the benefit of massive clickbait, and damned the consequences.”
However, the minister assured “all that our military and other security agencies have continued to do everything possible to secure and protect” Nigerians and foreigners living in Nigeria.
“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,” Mr Mohammed declared.
