The United States’ Mission in Nigeria has warned all Americans to stay away from all military and government facilities in Nigeria’s capital city Abuja.
In an advisory on its website on Sunday, the mission said the security warning was crucial in light of current global developments.
The mission prohibited embassy staff members from unofficial visit to any government or military facility in Abuja.
“Due to increased security concerns arising from current global developments, U.S. Mission Nigeria informs U.S. citizens that all U.S. “Embassy employees and their families are prohibited from non-official travel to a Nigerian military site or other government venue in Abuja at this time,” the mission stated.
The mission advised its citizens to stay alert in public places, with particular attention to location and venues where westerners, expatriates, and government officials frequent.
It also urged American nationals to avoid large gatherings and consider limiting unnecessary travel, avoid predictable routines, familiarise themselves with emergency exits in buildings, and to review personal security plans.
The mission said that despite the warning, the Consular Sections of Embassy Abuja and Consulate General Lagos remained open.
Meanwhile, the US State Department has issued a “worldwide caution” for Americans, saying the conflict in the Middle East could put those traveling or living abroad at an increased security risk.
“The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East. There is the potential for demonstrations against US citizens and interests abroad,” the State Department’s security alert said.
“The Department of State advises US citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution.”
The statement made no mention of the United States intervening in the conflict overnight when American planes bombed nuclear facilities in Iran, a move that Tehran said would have “irreparable consequences.”
The Islamic republic on Sunday threatened US bases in the Middle East and warned that US forces could be attacked in retaliation for the unprecedented air strikes that the Pentagon said devastated Iran’s nuclear program.
“Any country in the region or elsewhere that is used by American forces to strike Iran will be considered a legitimate target for our armed forces,” Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said in a message carried by the official IRNA news agency.
The United States on Saturday began evacuation flights from Israel for American citizens and permanent US residents living in Israel or the West Bank.
It also ordered staff at its diplomatic missions in Iraq and Lebanon to leave those countries.
