Avoid Abuja this weekend, US warns citizens

The United States of America has warned its citizens against embarking on non-essential trips to Abuja.

Executive Director of the US mission in Nigeria, Stephen Brunette, the US also advised its citizens living in Abuja to take extra security measures this weekend.

“Given the history of bombing attacks on weekends (some associated with holidays), as well as the recent bombing at EMAB plaza in Wuse II, the mission urges all US citizens living and travelling in Nigeria to take extra precautions for your personal security and safety”, Brunette wrote in a statement.

“The US mission urges against non-essential travel to or within Abuja during the upcoming weekend. The US mission advises all US citizens to be particularly vigilant around churches and other places of worship, locations where large crowds may gather, government facilities, and areas frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers during the upcoming weekend.

“Security measures in Nigeria remain heightened due to threats posed by extremist groups, and US citizens should expect additional police and military checkpoints, additional security, and possible road blocks throughout the country.”

The statement also recommended that US citizens travelling to or residing in Nigeria should “enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveller Enrollment Program (STEP)”, which gives them “the latest security updates” and makes it easier for the embassy or nearest US consulate to contact them in an emergency.

The bomb blast at EMAB Plaza, one of a litany of recent bomb attacks that precipitated the US warning, left 23 people dead and 17 injured.