Boko Haram plans to attack Abuja, says US

The United States yesterday warned its citizens living in Nigeria that Boko Haram sect is planning attacks on Abuja, including major hotels frequently visited by Westerners.U.S. authorities issued a similar warning in November, naming the Hilton, Sheraton and Nicon Luxury hotels as possible Boko Haram targets in Abuja, but later retracted the alert.Yesterday's warning issued by the U.S. embassy in Abuja, said the U.S. government has no additional information regarding the timing of the impending attacks adding that the Nigerian government was aware of the threat and actively implementing security measures.'The U.S. Embassy has received information that Boko Haram may be planning attacks in Abuja, Nigeria, including against hotels frequently visited by Westerners.'The Nigerian government is aware of the threat and is actively implementing security measures,' the message said.The embassy reminded U.S. citizens to exercise additional caution and maintain 'a high state of vigilance and personal security awareness, particularly in and around Abuja, near Nigerian government facilities, diplomatic missions, large gathering places, hotels, markets and malls, and places of worship,' the warning said.The embassy appealed to all U.S. citizens to review their personal security plans, remain aware of their surroundings, including local events, monitor local news stations for updates, and report specific incidences of targeted violence to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the U. S. Consulate General in Lagos.However, the warning did not name specific targets for the attack.When contacted, the Force Public Relations Officer, Deputy Commissioner Olusola Amore, said the terror alert by the U.S Mission was unsubstantiated and that 'foreign missions in Nigeria must avoid acts capable of causing unnecessary panic.'He maintained that, 'there is no such threat. The Nigeria Police Force is prepared to checkmate any form of threat and attack by hoodlums anywhere they are in Nigeria. We are prepared.
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