“The US Mission
in Nigeria advises that groups associated with terrorist activity might be
planning attacks against hotels in Lagos frequented by international visitors,
including those located on waterfronts, during the Eid-al-Fitr holidays,” it
said.
The United
States on Tuesday warned of possible attacks against expatriates and foreign
visitors in Nigeria’s biggest city, Lagos, during public holidays marking the
end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
AFP reports
that the US warning, posted on its embassy’s website, is unusually specific but
not the first about possible attacks in locations frequented by expatriates
The online
report noted that a similar security warning was given in December last year,
while in May 2014 diplomats warned of a possible attack at two Sheraton hotels
in Lagos, after a car bombing in the capital, Abuja, killed 19 just days before
a major economic summit.
Similar
warnings were given in April 2012 and November 2011 about hotels popular with Westerners
in Abuja.
Lagos, a
melting pot megacity of some 20 million people, has been spared the worst
excesses of violence by the Islamist group Boko Haram, whose seven-year
insurgency has destroyed Nigeria’s northeast.
But the
southwestern coastal city has been hit before. On June 25, 2014, explosions
ripped through the port area near a major fuel depot.
The
authorities blamed the blast on a cooking gas cylinder which exploded but
eyewitnesses and Western diplomats said it was a car bomb that killed at least
four people.
Boko Haram’s
shadowy leader Abubakar Shekau later claimed responsibility.
According to
the AFP, the US Embassy’s latest warning did not mention a specific group but
urged its citizens to “review your personal security plans, remain aware of
your surroundings, including local events, and monitor local news stations for
updates.”
Meanwhile,
following the directive by the President General of the Nigerian Supreme
Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto,
to the effect that the Ramadan fast continues today as a result of the
non-sighting of the moon, the Federal Government has declared Wednesday 6th and
Thursday 7th July, 2016 as Public Holiday.
This was
contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Permanent Secretary of the
Ministry of Interior, Bassey Okon Akpanyung.
The statement
said the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, was made by the
Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau.
The minister
in the statement urged Nigerians to use this period of sober reflections to
ensure harmony, unity and peaceful co-existence, while giving full support to
the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in his sustained effort to
pursue socio-economic and political growth of the nation.
In a related
development, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday felicitated with all
Nigerians, especially the Muslim Ummah, on the occasion of this year’s Eid El
Fitr, which marks the completion of the Ramadan fast.
In a
statement he personally signed, Buhari congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and
around the world on the successful completion of this month-long spiritual
journey of fasting, prayer and almsgiving in obedience to the Divine Command.
Buhari said,
“I sincerely pray that the Almighty Allah will reward our sacrifices with
increased blessing and a more prosperous future.
“On this
happy occasion, it is my strong belief that all true followers of Islam have
been rejuvenated on the true meaning and essence of life and through the
teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), we have learnt to imbibe the virtues of
piety, sacrifice, love, self-denial and good conduct in our daily relationship
with one another.”
The president
admonished all patriotic Nigerians to uphold these lessons and also appreciate
the numerous material and human blessings God has endowed us with.
He said, “I
am not unaware of what Nigerians are going through and I want to use this
medium to commend the amazing sacrifices of Nigerians in the face of the
temporary economic and social challenges and also reassure Nigerians that my
administration is working assiduously towards providing basic needs and other
amenities.”
Buhari
reaffirmed that his administration will not relent in the fight against
corruption and will ensure that all appropriate and legal measures are deplored
to root out this malaise.
Buhari
promised Nigerians better days’ ahead, saying government remain grateful for
their unflinching support to his administration.
He wished
Nigerians happy Eid El Fitr celebration, praying the Almighty Allah to continue
to bless the nation.
By Ese Awhotu
and Tobias Lengnan Dapam with agency report
No comments:
Post a Comment