The United States’ Department of State has warned of possible terror attacks on expatriates and foreigners in Nigeria’s commercial nerve center, Lagos, during the Eid-el-Fitr holidays celebration.
“The US Mission in Nigeria alerted that groups associated with terrorist activity might be planning attacks on hotels in Lagos frequented by international visitors, including those located on waterfronts, during the Eid-el-Fitr holidays,” it said yesterday.
The travel advisory warning, which was released yesterday, equally advised American citizens to spend less time at waterfront properties, terraces and restaurants in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
The report advised American citizens against traveling by boats across the south of the country. America citizens entering the city through the airport were advised to arrange for a convoy consisting of one police escort during night and daytime travel.
Also, walking alone on Lagos streets by US citizens is to be avoided unless hey were accompanied local contacts.
The report indicated that the nature of the threat in Lagos is similar to those found in areas with active Islamist militant presence like the North-Central, North-East and Kano, where Boko Haram terrorists are more active.
“Although Islamist militant attacks in Lagos are possible – Boko Haram has threatened attacks in the city – they are less likely than criminally motivated kidnaps-for-ransom or robberies by waterborne assailants,” the report explained.
“While we do not think that this potential threat warrants deferring travel to Lagos, members should continue to observe stringent security precautions, particularly outside of areas that can be considered as relatively secure (Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Ikeja), as well as minimising time spent in waterfront areas,” it added.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday has been earmarked as public holidays in Nigeria and the traditional end of a month of fasting and prayer is marked by celebrations across the country.
According to AFP, The US terror warning was posted on its embassy’s website with an unusual specificity.
In retrospect, the US government had issued similar security warnings before, in December last year, also in May 2014, diplomats were advised of a possible attack on two Sheraton hotels in Lagos, after a car bombing in the capital, Abuja, killed 19 just days before a major economic summit.
Lagos, a megacity, city is a melting of an estimated 20 million inhabitants, has been spared the worst excesses of violence by the Islamist group Boko Haram, whose seven-year insurgency has been largely in Nigeria’s northeast.
Lagos States Police Command yesterday assured the public that adequate and necessary security measures had been put in place during and after the Eid el-Fitr celebrations.
In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, it assured Muslim faithful and the public of their safety.
Dolapo reiterated that the command had put in place appropriate operational strategies to ensure a crime-free Eid-el-Fitri celebration at all praying grounds, recreational centres, hotels and all other public places.
However, she implored the public to cooperate with the Police as they go about their lawful duties, adding that in the eventuality of any emergency, the following Rapid Response hotlines can be contacted: 08127155071, 08127155150, 08029950048, 767 or 112.
