U.S. Govt begins relocation of Citizens, Staff from Abuja over potential terrorist attack

The United States has authorised the relocation of U.S. government employees and their families from Abuja over potential terrorist attacks.

AbaCityBlog reports that the U.S. had on Sunday, 23rd of October, issued a security alert on another possible terrorists attack in Abuja.

In a statement published on its official website, the U.S Embassy revealed that there is an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja, adding that it will, henceforth, offer reduced services until further notice.

Also, the U.S. embassy in another statement published on its website on Wednesday 26th revealed that the government has authorised relocation of its citizens and staff.

The full statement reads: “On October 25, 2022, the U.S. Department of State granted authorised departure status to Embassy Abuja, which permits the voluntary departure of family members and certain employees due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks,” the terror alert said.

It added, “The U.S. Embassy in Abuja continues to have limited ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Nigeria. The U.S. Consulate in Lagos continues to provide routine and emergency services to U.S. citizens in Nigeria.”

The Nigeria’s Capital Territory, Abuja has come under attack in recent months following the Boko Haram raid on Kuje Prison and an attack on the Presidential Guards Brigade at Bwari in which three elite officers were killed.

In July, schools in the capital and neighbouring states were shut down over security concerns.

The terror alert, however, was dismissed by information minister Lai Mohammed.

Mr Mohammed claimed that the U.S. and UK’s “clickbait” security warnings forced schools to shut down and disrupted commercial activities in Abuja.