Extremists may attempt to target U.S citizens and other Westerners in Nigeria, the United States embassy in Nigeria has warned.
The embassy issued the warning following an attack on a U.S. Mission in Beghazi, Libya, the previous day, which killed an ambassador and three other embassy staff Americans.
“The U.S. Mission in Nigeria strongly urges U.S. citizens in Nigeria to consider their personal security and to keep personal safety in the forefront of their planning,” the embassy warned in a emergency message on Thursday.
The attack on the U.S. embassy in Benghazi, suspected to be carried out by Al Qaeda elements, followed protests against a controversial movie about Prophet Mohammed made by an Isreali-America, Sam Bacile, living in Carlifonia.
The movie sparked protest in Egypt where protesters burned American flags near the American Embassy. The movie also drew widespread condemnation from the Islamic world.
The U.S Embassy in Nigeria fears terrorists in Nigeria may latch on the spreading rage against the movie to attack its citizens as security conditions in the country remained “fluid and unpredictable.”
Up till the previous week, attacks by the terrorist Boko Haram sect remained rife. The terror sect claimed responsibility for attacks on cellular telephone towers in Northern Nigeria that damaged over 30 towers and degrading cellular telephone and internet communications in the area.
The sect killed over one thousand in attacks that target almost every institution and congregation in Northern Nigeria.
“All U.S. citizens should use caution and discretion when deciding to attend large functions or visit establishments identified as potential targets, and respond appropriately if they detect suspicious activities” the embassy warned.
