US Warns Of Possible Boko Haram Attack In Lagos

US diplomats in Nigeria on Friday claimed that “groups associated with terrorism” could be planning to attack a hotel in the financial capital, Lagos, in a travel note to citizens warning of security risks.

“As of late April, groups associated with terrorism allegedly planned to mount an unspecified attack against the Sheraton Hotel in Nigeria, near the city of Lagos,” the US Consulate General in Lagos said in an emailed advisory.

“There was no further information regarding which of the two Sheraton Hotels in Lagos was the possible target, or if both of the Sheraton Hotels are possible targets.

“There is no further information regarding the timing or method of attack. US citizens are cautioned to avoid these hotels at this time.”

The warning comes a day after a car bomb exploded in Nigeria’s capital Abuja, killing 19 people and wounding scores more, just yards (metres) from a bus station where a previous bombing on April 14 killed at least 75.

Boko Haram claimed the April 14 attack and both bombings have raised fears about a possible change in tactics and targets by the Islamist militants, whose increasingly deadly, five-year insurgency has largely been confined to the north.

Concern has mounted that the violence could spread to other parts of the country given the military’s apparent inability to stem the bloodshed.

A hotel attack by Islamist extremists would not be unprecedented.

In November 2008, heavily armed gunmen attacked three luxury hotels, a railway station, Jewish centre and popular tourist cafe in the Indian city of Mumbai, killing 166 and wounding more than 300.

Sheraton has two hotels in Lagos: the Sheraton Hotel Lagos in the Ikeja area of the city near the international airport and the Four Points by Sheraton.

The latter is situated on Victoria Island off the expressway to Lekki, both of which are home to many wealthier Nigerians and expatriates.

The US travel advisory said the security situation in Nigeria remained “fluid and unpredictable”, warning its citizens to stay away from all travel to Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states which have borne the brunt of the violence.

All three are in northeast Nigeria and have been under a state of emergency since May last year. [AFP]

9 COMMENTS

  1. A good and timely information, we believe with the USA vast knowledge in intelligence cathering. There is much they can do to help us nigeria and our security forces in other to safe guard our people and her citizens too.Terrorism is worldwide epidermic that has to be tackle by all lovers of peace. We need US help in other to curb this menace and move our country forward. We are not terrorist, we are peace loving country, we are happy people. We are nigerians.GOD BLESS NIGERIA

  2. MAHEEDA,u must be stupid if nt u ar askin hw US got an Information.Do u they ar fools lik our Nigeria inteligent here.if dey say so,we av 2 trust dem.2geda Nigeria will win dis war.GOD BLESS NIGERIA

  3. how can i blive dat sumtin do exist as boko haram ? dis’ re muslims killins innocents souls in de name of terrorist so dat citizens of dis nation shuld say gudluck jonathan is nt capable of rullin Nigeria

  4. United we stand, divided we fall. My fellow Nigerian let’s unite in prayer, cos this I know is the lasting solution we are having right now, be it Muslims or Christian, we’re serving the same God, the only difference is that, the way we serve him is quite different, bt yet we’re still serving the same God, that’s why He’s Awesome.
    Let’s call onto these God to interfere, which I believe He’ll answer us.
    Let’s forget about what the BH leader is saying that he’s fighting for his Muslim brothers and sisters, he’s using that to create enmity among ourselves, so let’s join hands in prayer to end these insurgency.
    God bless my nation(Nigeria)

  5. As a black us citizen I take offence to someone saying the us is somehow helping or assisting the boko haram.. We condemned these horrible and senseless attacks.. Though I was born in the United States of America my heritage and my very existence comes from Africa..

    I have both Christian and muslim friends from nigeria, and though they have different religions I have come to learn that the hearts are the same. All want peace. If the us warns of possible attacks in lagos its because of excellence in intelligence gathering information.. may God save and bless Nigeria

  6. @Dawoda M Oluwas, I think u need to follow up with the national confab to know if we are united we stand.
    Anyway, if Boko Haram attack Lagos according to the US intelligent gathering, it a clarion call to stand and defend our little civilization. Long live Nigeria