In light of impending terrorist attacks in Nigeria’s political capital, the United States Department of State has provided “approved departure status” to American citizens and Embassy personnel in Abuja.
The US Department of State promised to offer routine and emergency services to US citizens in Nigeria in a notification on Tuesday night. If they want to leave Nigeria, it recommended them to “maintain a low profile” and “take use of commercial transit possibilities.”
![JUST IN] Terror alert: US to evacuate citizens, embassy staff](https://www.opinionnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/American-Flag-e1443351847837.jpg)
In addition, the Department advised Americans who are not currently in Nigeria to “reconsider travel to Nigeria owing to crime, terrorism, civil instability, kidnapping, and maritime crime” as some regions have higher risk.
“On October 25, 2022, the Department authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks.
READ ALSO: US, UK Issued Warnings About A Possible Attack In Nigeria’s Capital, Abuja
“The U.S. Embassy Abuja continues to have limited ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Nigeria. The U.S. Consulate in Lagos is providing all routine and emergency services to U.S. citizens in Nigeria,” the advisory read.
“While advising that necessary precautions are taken by all and sundry, the populace is enjoined to remain alert and assist security agencies with useful information regarding threats and suspicious criminal acts around them,” a DSS statement partly read.
The United States and the United Kingdom have issued warnings about potential terror strikes in Abuja on Sunday, particularly at government offices, houses of worship, schools, and other locations where big groups congregate.
Lai Mohammed, the minister of information and culture, reportedly denied the terror alerts issued by the US and the UK, claiming that Nigeria is safer now than it was in May 2015, before President Muhammadu Buhari took office.
Residents of Abuja and Nigerians in general were asked to maintain calm by the Department of State Services, which claimed that the security services were fully in control of the situation.
Additionally, according to a statement from the Nigerian Police Force, “As part of its security strategy, Inspector-General of Police Usman Baba has ordered all 36 state commissioners of police, including the one in the Federal Capital Territory, and the head of police tactical squads, to re-strategize the security management within their jurisdictions.
He also disclosed that “Operation Darkin Gaggawa,” a counterterrorism event simulation exercise, would be held in the nation’s capital.
Unsettlingly, numerous risky terrorist acts have been reported in Abuja and other regions of the nation in 2022. On July 5, 2022, rebels took over Abuja’s Kuje prison and released hundreds of prisoners, including seasoned Boko Haram fighters.
The President’s advance convoy was ambushed by the marauders in the same month near Dutsinma in Katsina State. Later in August, the enraged terrorists would ambush and murder some members of the Presidential Guards Brigade in Abuja.
Similar to this, on March 28, 2022, a Kaduna-Abuja train was ambushed by vicious terrorists who killed dozens of people, abducted dozens more, and held them as prisoners for more than six months before releasing them earlier in October.
