US State Department authorises the evacuation of its embassy staff in Nigeria over terrorist threat

WASHINGTON has authorised the evacuation of its government employees and their families from the US embassy in Nigeria over the risk of a potential terrorist attacks that it believes could be imminent.

Yesterday evening, the US State Department announced the approval of the evacuation in its updated Nigeria travel advisory. This development came after the US and United Kingdom warned of a possible terrorist attack in Abuja on Sunday, saying it could be aimed at government buildings, places of worship and schools among other targets.

 “On October 25, 2022, the State Department authorised the departure of non-emergency US government employees and family members due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks. The US embassy in Abuja continues to have limited ability to provide emergency assistance to US citizens in Nigeria, while the US consulate in Lagos is providing all routine and emergency services to US citizens in Nigeria.” the US advisory notice added.

However, Nigeria's federal government had dismissed the security alert, stating that Nigerians are safe, as the Nigerian armed forces were on top of security challenges in the country. Information minister Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had blamed the media for publishing such advisory notices without checking them out.

Alhaji Mohammed said: “Our country is safer today than at any time in recent times thanks to the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform. 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.”

A few months ago, Abuja, Nigeria's capital came under a heavy attack as Boko Haram raided  Kuje Prison and an also launched an assault on the Presidential Brigade of Guards in which three elite officers were killed. Schools in Abuja were also shutdown over security concerns during the period amid kidnapping fears.

Nigeria Police Force spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the force would review the US and UK security advisory notices while strengthening security structures across the country. He also noted that a review of the advisory notices was necessary, adding that the police, as the lead agency in internal security would not take any threat intelligence, either actionable or not, for granted.

Mr Adejobi added:  “The Nigeria Police Force hereby reassures Nigerians and all other residents and visitors in the country that it will effectively review the United States of America embassy in Abuja’s security advisory which was issued, widely circulated and published by the media on October 23, 2022, indicating an elevated risk of terror attacks in the country, particularly in the capital city of Abuja. Force headquarters will make more deployments to enhance national security.

“As part of its security strategy, the inspector-general of police, Usman Baba, has ordered all 36 states commissioners of police, including that of the Federal Capital Territory and the head of police tactical squads, to re-strategise the security management within their jurisdictions. He also has announced a counter-terrorism incident simulation exercise which will take place in the nation’s capital, tagged, Operation Darkin Gaggawa.”