Hours after the United States Mission in Nigeria warned her citizens to be wary of an impending terror attack, schools in the Federal Capital Territory are sending students back home.
Findings by the NPO Reports show that many schools, briefed of the development decided to ask students to stay back home as precautionary measure.
The United States Mission had on Sunday released an advisory telling her citizens in Nigeria not to undertake unnecessary journeys.
“There is an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja. Targets may include but are not limited to, government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities, and international organizations,” the Mission had said on Sunday
The British High Commission had also on Sunday given similar warning.
The commission was specific on advice to parents not to send children to school.In its notice issued at 15:48 on Sunday, the High Commission stated thus:
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1. On Monday 24 October, British High Commission Abuja (BHC) will be open for Business Critical staff only. ALL colleagues wishing to travel to BHC should seek authorisation from Line Manager/ Block Leads, and in advance of travel.
2. On Monday 24 October, BHC Abuja UKB parents are advised strongly not to send children to schools.
3. More detail will follow later today from DHC Gill Atkinson.”
The Directorate of State Security on Monday advised Nigerians to give information whenever they see any threats.
The DSS Public Relations Officer Department of State Services, National Headquarters, Dr. Peter Afunanya in a statement late Sunday night urged Nigerians to remain calm, adding that necessary actions have been taken to prevent such an attack from happening.
“The Department of State Services has received several enquiries relating to the security advisory issued by the US Embassy in Abuja, today, 23/10/22. The public may recall that the Service had variously issued similar warnings in the past,” the statement read
“While advising that necessary precautions are taken by all and sundry, the populace is enjoined to remain alert and assist security agencies with useful information regarding threats and suspicious criminal acts around them.
“Meanwhile, the Service calls for calm as it works with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to maintain peace and order in and beyond Abuja.”
As at 8am Monday, many school buses were being asked to return students back home while many parents arrived at their children’s schools only to be told they should go back home.