Nigerian government, The Federal Government of Nigeria has firmly assured that Abuja is safe, countering concerns raised by a recent US travel advisory. The government insists there is no reason for alarm following the United States Embassy’s decision to restrict staff movement to military and federal facilities within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Nigerian government, The US Mission had issued a cautionary note to its employees and their families, advising them to avoid non-official visits to federal facilities in Abuja due to “increased security concerns arising from current global developments.” Notably, the advisory made no direct reference to any specific or imminent threat within Abuja.
Nigerian government , In response, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, acknowledged the right of foreign embassies, including the US, to issue such advisories. However, he firmly stated that Abuja remains safe for both its citizens and foreign residents.
While the Federal Government recognises and respects the right of foreign missions, including the U.S. Embassy, to issue travel advisories to their citizens,” Idris said, “it is important to state categorically that Abuja remains safe for citizens, residents, and visitors alike.”
The minister emphasized that Nigeria’s current security architecture has been proactive and effective, successfully identifying and neutralizing threats before they escalate. He suggested that the US travel warning may be a general safeguard rather than a response to a specific danger in Nigeria.
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Idris highlighted that Nigeria’s security agencies continue to work tirelessly to safeguard the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the entire country. According to him, significant progress has been made in thwarting potential threats and maintaining stability.
While the US advisory urged its citizens to remain cautious—particularly in areas popular among expatriates and government officials—it also included standard safety guidance: avoid large gatherings, reduce non-essential travel, and refrain from following predictable routines. Citizens were also advised to stay aware of emergency exits and regularly update personal security plans.
Despite these warnings, US consular operations in Abuja and Lagos remain unaffected and continue to operate normally.
Reaffirming its commitment to public safety, the Nigerian government extended reassurance to diplomatic missions, development partners, and investors, stating emphatically that Abuja is not under threat.
Nigeria’s security forces are closely monitoring developments across the country and are fully prepared to respond decisively to any threat,” Idris concluded.
Citizens were encouraged to proceed with their daily routines confidently but to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
The US travel advisory is believed to be linked to heightened global tensions—particularly the Israel-Iran conflict and recent US missile strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities—rather than any direct or local threat to Nigeria.
