The governments of Germany, Bulgaria, Ireland, and Denmark have cautioned their citizens against non-essential travel to Abuja, Nigeria’s capital over suspected possible terror attacks.
The travel advisories came a few days after the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada had warned of a possible terror attack in Abuja.
The embassies had listed targets to include schools, government buildings, hotels, markets, shopping malls, bars, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities, restaurants, places of worship, and international organisations.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
Daily Report Nigeria gathered that the countries aligned with the position of the US after a series of meetings, intelligence sharing, and “incontrovertible proof of imminent danger.”
One of the sources said:
“Late last week, a suspect was nabbed near the US Embassy at the Central Area allegedly spying on the surroundings.
“Also, explosive devices were found near the entrance of a compound housing US staff on Saturday, October 22.”
The source added that after gathering intelligence on the plan to attack US citizens and other expatriates, the US government decided to send Special Forces to Abuja to analyse the threat.
Also, the US State Department, in the travel advisory issued on Tuesday authorised the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees.
However, a source in one of the security agencies in Nigeria dismissed the panic.
The source said:
“What is the panic for…? (This is) not the first time a security alert is issued in Nigeria. What is this Nigerians crave for foreign products? Because the alert came from the USA? Our love for foreign things is insatiable…
“Remember, on 19th March 2022; 26th April 2022 and 14th December 2021, the DSS warned about impending bomb and violent attacks and plans by elements to attack public places. Nigerians dismissed those and were never alarmed.
“Few months after, Kano, Jigawa, Imo and other places were attacked. Kuje was attacked. Haba! It could have been worst but for the intervention of our law enforcement authorities. Abeg! people should calm down. It is time for everyone to support security agencies with information about criminals. Be vigilant.”
Meanwhile, another top security source believed the US government was overreacting saying the threat level could be contained without the scare-mongering by the embassy.
He said:
“We always share intelligence with them for the purpose of personal safety and possible collaboration. If a challenge arises they should give us a chance and opportunity to work on it rather than jump the ship and create panic.
“Disappointing that the US will act in this way when they didn’t do something like this during Abuja’s worst times.”
But another source attributed the action to the American government’s disgust by recent Nigeria’s government close working relationship with the China and Russian governments, especially in the area of defence procurement.
The source said:
“We have what we call global 5 in the intelligence community. These include the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. They share the same position on issues…They have a special relationship and most times align with the position taken by the United States. We are not bothered, we are on course to secure our country.”
However, the federal government through the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed had since dismissed the advisories and specifically said the United States was also not safe.
When contacted on Thursday to comment on the action taken by Bulgaria, Germany, Ireland, and Denmark, Lai Mohammed asked Daily Trust to send him the “Links of the stories of Denmark, Germany, Bulgaria and Ireland so as to properly dimension my response.”
