The federal government on Monday, condemned the recent travel advisory by the United States of America to its citizens in Nigeria saying such an advisory could cause needless panic and have adverse economic impacts.
The Informant247 reports that the United States on Friday, warned its citizens against “elevated threats” to major hotels in Nigeria’s “larger cities”.
In a statement released by emergency information for American citizens dated November 3, added that Nigerian security agencies are working to counter the threat, adding the citizens should exercise vigilance at major hotels, be alert to their surroundings, keep a low profile, and review the travel advisory for Nigeria before checking into any hotels.
“The U.S. Government is aware of credible information that there is an elevated threat to major hotels in Nigeria’s larger cities,” the notice reads.
“The Nigerian security services are working diligently to counter the threat.
“The U.S. Department of State advises U.S. citizens to consider this information when arranging lodging or visiting major hotels in Nigeria.”
It also provided the addresses and telephone numbers of the US embassy in Abuja and the consulate in Lagos should any US citizen require help.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, while speaking on Monday in Abuja during a press briefing with editors, said such advisory was going to undermine the efforts the government had been making to attract investors to Nigeria, adding that the government had consistently prioritized the safety and well-being of all visitors to Nigeria.
He said, “We have implemented comprehensive security measures both at the federal and state levels to ensure the safety of tourists and international guests. These measures include intense intelligence gathering, acquisition and deployment of additional platforms, training and re-training of personnel, cooperation with international law enforcement agencies, among others, to maintain a secure environment.”
The Minister, while commenting on post-oil subsidy removal economic interventions, said the present administration provided some palliatives in short, medium and long terms to help cushion the effects of the subsidy removal, adding that the government provided a wage increment of N35,000 monthly for six months to enhance federal minimum wage, without causing undue inflation.
He said the government had also launched a N100 billion CNG bus rollout programme, to deliver CNG-powered buses, and established a presidential committee to drive implementation.
According to him, the government is finalizing the process for payment of a cash transfer of N25,000 monthly to 15 million of the poorest and most vulnerable households in Nigeria for three months.
He said a presidential directive for the release of 200,000 Metric Tonnes of grains from strategic reserves to households across the 36 states and the FCT to moderate prices was in force, adding that 225,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer, seedlings and other inputs to farmers were amongst measures to curb the sufferings of Nigerians.
On insecurity, Idris said the security agencies had remained on their toes in ensuring that citizens were safe, stating that, seven bandits were neutralized in various operations between November 1 and 3 in Kaduna State.
He noted that in Katsina State, two corps members who were kidnapped by bandits were successfully rescued by security agencies.
“In Kano State, on November 3, a joint operation by troops of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services carried out a dawn raid operation on terrorists’ hideout in Gezawa Local Government Area, successfully averting an imminent attack on Kano by insurgents. The operation recovered AK-47 rifles, AK-47 rifle magazines, a Rocket Propelled Gun (RPG), RPG bombs, hand grenades, and Improvised Explosive Device (IED)-making materials, among others.”
“In the North-East and North-West of the country, the Nigerian Air Force has been very busy, with several successful airstrikes on bandits’ and terrorists’ camps and hideouts in Katsina, Zamfara and Borno states.
“The Air Force has also recently taken delivery of four new aircraft, to strengthen the fight against banditry and terrorism.”
“In our maritime environment, on October 25, the Eastern and Central Naval Commands flagged off a Joint Sea Exercise, Exercise SEA GUARDIAN 2023,” he said.
