How US Intends To Evacuate Citizens, Embassy Staff Over Insecurity

The United States government has authorised the evacuation of its government employees and their families from Nigeria over potential insecurity threats.

In its updated travel advice for Nigeria on Tuesday night, the US State Department made the announcement that the evacuation had been approved.

Specifically targeting government institutions, houses of worship, and schools among other targets, the United States and the United Kingdom had issued a warning about a potential terrorist attack in the capital Abuja on Sunday.

“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,” the advisory read.

“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.”

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The Federal Government, via the Minister of Information, had disregarded the security advisory, claiming that Nigerians were now safer and that the Nigerian Armed Forces were in control of the country’s insecurity issues.

“Our country is safer today than at any time in recent times, thanks to the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform.

“We do not discountenance the fact that terrorists, bandits and their kind would always want to do whatever it takes to disrupt our nation’s peace, security and stability. But our security forces have been proactive.”

The United States has previously issued similar warnings, according to Nigeria’s Department of State Services, which warned Nigerians to remain vigilant.

Following the Boko Haram invasion on Kuje Prison and an attack on the Presidential Guards Brigade at Bwari in which three special officers were murdered, the nation’s capital city came under intense attack months ago.

During this time, schools in Abuja were also closed due to security concerns.

The Nigeria Police Force has not yet responded to the report that the US government had authorized the evacuation of its employees and citizens.