US APPROVES EXIT OF CITIZENS AND EMBASSSEY STAFF FROM NIGERIA OVER TERROR WARNING

Kufre George

The United States Department of State has granted authorized departure status to American citizens and Embassy staff in Abuja over imminent terrorist attacks In a notice recently, the US Department of States pledged to provide routine and emergency services to US citizens in Nigeria.It advised them to keep a low profile and take advantage of commercial transportation options if they wish to depart Nigeria.The Department further urged American citizens who are out of Nigeria not to reconsider traveling back to the country due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and maritime crime as some areas have increased risk.The US and Britain had on Sunday warned of possible terror attacks in Abuja, especially at government buildings, places of worship, schools and other centres where large crowds gather.However ,the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed reportedly dismissed the terror alerts by the United Kingdom and the US, describing it as unverified and misleading.Lai Mohammed maintained that Nigeria is more safer than in May 2015 when President Muhammadu Buhari came into office.The Department of States Services also urged residents of Abuja and Nigerians in general to remain calm, saying the security agencies are right on top of the situation.Also, the Nigeria Police Force in a statement said, as part of its security strategy, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has ordered all 36 states Commissioners of Police, including that of the FCT, and the head of police tactical squads, to re-strategize the security management within their jurisdictions.