The Federal Government of Nigeria has assured citizens, residents, and international visitors that Abuja, the nation’s capital, remains safe, following a recent security advisory issued by the United States Embassy.
The U.S. Embassy had advised its staff and their families to avoid non-official travel to military and other government facilities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), citing general security concerns. However, the Nigerian government has moved swiftly to downplay the advisory, insisting that there is no imminent or specific threat within the FCT.
In an official statement released by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government emphasized that Nigeria’s security agencies are actively securing the capital and the rest of the country.
“While the Federal Government recognizes and respects the right of foreign missions, including the U.S. Embassy, to issue travel advisories to their citizens, it is important to state categorically that Abuja remains safe for citizens, residents, and visitors alike,” the statement read.
According to the Minister, Nigeria’s security architecture has remained proactive, successfully detecting, preventing, and neutralizing potential threats. He stressed that the U.S. advisory appears to be informed by global security developments rather than any Nigeria-specific intelligence.
“We reiterate to all diplomatic missions, investors, development partners, and the general public that there is no cause for alarm,” Idris said. “Our security and intelligence agencies are monitoring developments across the country and are fully prepared to respond decisively to any threat.”
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding all residents and maintaining Abuja’s image as one of the most secure capitals in the world.
Citizens were urged to go about their normal activities without fear but to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to the relevant authorities.
