Nigeria Raises Security as US Issues Terror Warning

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Facts

  • On Thursday, Nigeria instructed all strategic police managers to bolster security across the country, especially in Abuja, and ordered all emergency numbers to be activated to ensure a "24/7 prompt response" amid reports of a "heightened risk of terrorist attacks."
  • This comes after the US State Dept. ordered diplomats' families to leave the capital and also authorized non-emergency personnel to depart. The advisory also urged Americans to reconsider traveling to any part of Nigeria.
  • Australia, Canada, and the UK also advised their citizens to be vigilant and avoid non-essential travels within Abuja and several areas of Nigeria. Tensions are also high among Abuja residents and business owners.
  • Nigerian security forces reportedly dismantled a terror cell and arrested five Islamic State West Africa Province commanders and 30 fighters at their hideouts in Abuja, Mararaba, and other nearby towns. Counterterrorism operations were still underway as of Thursday.
  • Last Sunday, the US State Dept. warned of alleged planned terror attacks in Abuja that could target "government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, law enforcement facilities, and international organizations."
  • For more than a decade, Nigeria has battled an Islamic insurgency in its northeast, however, attacks in Abuja have been infrequent. In 2011, militants tied to Boko Haram carried out a car bombing targeting the UN building, killing 21.

Sources: Al Jazeera, CBS, Leadership, Punchng, CNN, and Washington Post.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Thisdaylive. While Nigerians must remain alert as terrorists are always looking for ways to disrupt a nation's stability, foreign embassies and the media have provoked panic in the nation by spreading unverified and misrepresented information. Nigeria is much safer now as security forces have been proactive in fighting terrorists and bandits.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Punchng. Nigeria's federal government shouldn't downplay terror alerts issued by Western countries and politicize them, but should take decisive action to ensure the safety of the people across the country. The US Embassy has issued warnings based on intelligence assessments, and it would be irresponsible to downplay these.

Predictions