The U.S. Department of State on Wednesday authorized the departure of non-emergency staff and family members of its Embassy in Abuja.
This was made available via a press statement obtained from the US embassy’s official website.
The declaration followed a security advisory released on October 23 by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the US Embassy in Nigeria alerting to an increased danger of terrorist attacks in Nigeria, particularly in Abuja.
The Press Statement partly reads,” On October 25, 2022, the U.S. Department of State granted authorized 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 U.S. Department of State also advised its staff to keep a low profile; have a personal emergency action plan that does not rely on U.S. government assistance; monitor local media for breaking news on the security situation among other precautionary measures.
The Federal Government had on Tuesday called on Nigerians to be calm following the United States Embassy’s security alert.
PUNCH METRO reported that the Federal Government through the Department of State Services urged Nigerians to be calm and vigilant.
It promised to work with other security agencies to keep the peace, and it also asked Nigerians to provide useful information about threats and suspicious criminal acts in their midst.
As obtained from the press statement issued by the agency, they stated, “The Department of State Services has received several enquiries relating to the security advisory issued by the US Embassy in Abuja, today, 23/10/22. The public may recall that the Service had variously issued similar warnings in the past.
”The Service calls for calm as it works with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to maintain peace and order in and beyond Abuja.”
