US Embassy curtails operations in Abuja over insecurity

The United States Embassy in Abuja says public operations will be reduced effective Friday, July 16, 2021, TopNaija reports.

A statement posted on Facebook Thursday night called the development “a security precaution”.

It noted that July 20 and July 21 are holidays in Nigeria and the Embassy is scheduled to be closed on those days.

The Embassy said full public operations will resume on Monday, July 26.

Services affected include routine American citizen services, visas, and the Education Advising Center.

The statement advised Americans who may experience an emergency to contact the duty officer through the Embassy switchboard.

Next Tuesday and Wednesday are holidays to mark the 2021 Eid-el-Kabir celebration. Security is being heightened in the nation’s capital and many states.

The primary purpose of an embassy is to assist American citizens who travel to or live in the host country. U.S. Foreign Service Officers also interview citizens of the host country who wish to travel to the United States for business, education, or tourism purposes.