Germany, Bulgaria, Ireland, Denmark join US, UK in Nigeria terror alert

The governments of Germany, Bulgaria, Ireland and Denmark have cautioned their citizens against non-essential travel to the Federal Capital Territory over a heightened risk of terror attacks.

The travel advisories came a few days after the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada had warned of a possible terror attack in the FCT.

The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had since dismissed the advisories and specifically said the United States of America was also unsafe.

When contacted on Thursday to comment on the action taken by Bulgaria, Germany, Ireland and Denmark, the Minister asked Daily Trust to send him the “Links of the stories of Denmark, Germany, Bulgaria and Ireland so as to properly dimension my response.”

It was gathered that the embassies had listed targets to include schools, government buildings, hotels, markets, shopping malls, bars, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities, restaurants, places of worship and international organisations.

It was also gathered from reliable diplomatic sources that other countries aligned with the position of the US after series of meetings, intelligence sharing and “incontrovertible proof of imminent danger.”

One of the sources said, “Late last week, a suspect was nabbed near the US Embassy at the Central Area allegedly spying on the surroundings.

“Also, explosive devices were found near the entrance of a compound housing US staff on Saturday, October 22,” the source said. The source added that after gathering intelligence on the plan to attack US citizens and other expatriates, the US government decided to send Special Forces to Abuja to analyse the threat.

Beyond that, the US State Department, in the travel advisory issued on Tuesday authorised the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees.