Breaking News: America warns of possible terror attacks in Lagos

The United States Department of State has warned of
potential terrorist attacks targeted at hotels in Lagos
during the Eid-el-Fitr holiday.
The travel advisory warning, released on Tuesday,
also advised U.S. nationals to spend less time at
waterfront properties, terraces and restaurants in
the nation’s commercial capital.
It also advised American citizens against traveling
by boats across the south of the country.
It advised America citizens entering the city through
the airport to arrange for a convoy that consist of
one “single-vehicle MOPOL escort” during night and
daytime travel.
Americans were also advised to avoid walking on the
street alone without being by accompanying local
contacts.
According to the warning, the nature of the possible
threat in Lagos is similar to those common in areas
with active Islamist militants 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.
The Nigerian government is yet to respond to the
U.S. advisory, but the Nigerian Police had also on
Monday identified at least four kinds of locations
nationwide where attacks could occur as Nigerian
Muslims joined their counterparts worldwide for the
end-of-Ramadan festivities.
Force Public Relations Officer, Don Awunah, said in
a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES that the the
Acting Inspector-General General of Police, Ibrahim
Idris, had ordered all zonal headquarters and state
commands to ensure adequate security at such
potential “vulnerable places.”
Mr. Awunah, a deputy commissioner of police,
identified the potential flash-points to include
highways, worship centres, recreation facilities, and
government installations.
The police spokesperson said Mr. Idris had given
directives that security be beefed up around those
locations and other areas later identified to be
vulnerable.
He called on Nigerians to report vital information to
the Police and conduct themselves well.
The statement by Mr. Awunah said, “IGP Idris has
also ordered all Zonal Headquarters and Command
Commissioners of Police to ensure adequate security
in their areas of responsibilities throughout the
duration of the celebration, warning that officers
should be deployed evenly to cover the highways,
worship and recreation centres, government
installations and all vulnerable points in order to
give Nigerians feasible sense of safety and security
as they celebrate the Eid-el-fitri and go about their
lawful business.”