U.S relaxes security alert on Abuja

Posted by admin Abuja (FCT), Africa & World Politics, Latest Politics Monday, November 14th, 2011

The U.S Mission in Nigeria has relaxed its weekend security warning to its
citizens to avoid specific locations in Abuja over fears of bomb attacks.

A statement posted on the mission’s website on Wednesday said there
were“increased security checks at major hotels, government facilities, and along
major roadways in Abuja”.

It added that the mission would continue to monitor closely the ongoing threat
posed by an extremist group and their stated intention to carry out attacks
against the Nigerian government and western interests in Nigeria.

“As a result, and with the Sallah holiday over, the Embassy is updating its
warning to U.S. citizens.

“ U.S. government personnel are no longer instructed to avoid the NICON Luxury,
the Sheraton Hotel, and the Transcorp Hilton Hotel,” it stated.

However, the Embassy reminded all U.S. citizens to maintain a high level of
vigilance and personal awareness, particularly in and around the FCT, Abuja,

It listed Nigerian government facilities, diplomatic missions, large gathering
places, hotels, markets and malls, and places of worship as areas to watch.

Earlier, a protest letter by the Nigeria Embassy in Washington D.C had called the
emergency warning “ill-timed” saying it had the potential of adversely affecting
security relations of both countries. Nigeria advised the mission to exercise
caution when issuing warnings.

-African Examinerwp_posts