US embassy issues security alert to all its citizens in Nigeria urging them to be vigilant as elections loom

AMERICA has alerted its citizens in Nigeria about the possible outbreak of protests during or immediately after Nigeria’s general elections holding between February 25 and March 11 and warned them to be cautious.

On February 25, Nigerians go to the polls to elect a new president with the main frontrunners being former Lagos State governor Asiwaju Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Kano State governor Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi of the Labour Party. After the presidential poll on February 25, there shall be National Assembly, gubernatorial and state houses of assemblies elections up until March 11.

According to the US embassy, as was the case with past elections, restricted movements should be expected nationwide on the days of the elections. In a notice on its website, the embassy advised its nationals to avoid rallies as they can turn violent with little or no notice.

In the notice titled Security Alert – Possible Protests Leading to Elections and Restricted Movements on Election Days’, the embassy also advised American citizens living  in Nigeria to have three days of food and water at home in case movement restrictions are extended beyond election days. It also urged them to keep their cell phones charged.

Its  notice read: “The government of Nigeria will restrict the movement of all personal vehicles on election days across the country. Information from the government of Nigeria indicates that only law enforcement personnel and Independent National Electoral Commission-accredited election observers will be allowed to move freely along the roads.

“Based on past election practice, we anticipate personal vehicles will be blocked from any and all attempted road movement from 00:00 until 18:00 February 25 and 00:00 until 18:00 March 11. Please be advised that movement restrictions may be extended at any time and be alert to government of Nigeria information about the restrictions.”

Furthermore, the embassy advised its citizens in Nigeria to have a pre-packed bag that contains travel documents, medications, toiletries, cash and clothes in case they need to relocate from their residence. It also urged then to avoid large crowds, keep a low profile, carry proper identification,. review their personal security plans and monitor local media for updates.