Tag Archives: US Embassy

Bomb scare at US embassy in Lagos over abandoned bag

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A mystery bag, which was allegedly abandoned in a vehicle on the premises of the United States Embassy in Lagos yesterday, triggered fear among visa seekers, visitors and embassy workers.

This is coming a day after London terror attack left four people dead and at least, 40 persons injured after an attacker drove a car along a pavement in Westminster, stabbed a policeman and was shot dead by police in the grounds of the Parliament.

News of an abandoned bomb immediately went viral soon after the bag was discovered by one of the security guards attached to the embassy. Visitors and visa applicants as well as employees of the embassy ran for their dear lives to avoid being caught up in the event of an explosion.

Immediately, a combined team of anti-riot policemen from the Anti-Bomb Unit of the state command and mobile policemen were drafted to the scene. Policemen cordoned off the area while detectives went in to ascertain the nature of the IED.

Minutes later, the police team along with some officials of the embassy left. Addressing newsmen on the development, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Fatai Owoseni, dismissed it as a bomb scare.

Owoseni insisted that there was no bomb planted at the American Embassy in the state. He disclosed that the suspected bag kept in one of the vehicles at the Consular General office, in Victoria Island, only contained medical equipment.

“We got a call around 7:40a.m. yesterday concerning the strange bag. I immediately dispatched the anti-bomb team, marine police and anti-terrorist personnel to the scene. The anti-bomb team professionally removed the bag from the vehicle. After scanning the bag, they discovered that all items inside were medical tools.

“We are, however, investigating the reason why the bag was left there and who the owner is. We don’t want to leave anything to chance.

We want to also allay the fears of people in Lagos and the diplomatic community that there is no cause for alarm. There is no bomb planted at the America Embassy in Lagos.

“The police in Lagos assure foreigners and citizens of their safety. We are ever ready to live up to our constitutional responsibilities. Since the bag was removed, normal activities have resumed,” he said.

Owoseni displayed the content of the bag before newsmen, which included bandages, scissors, plaster among others.

 

Source: The Guardian

US Embassy In Ankara On Lockdown After ‘Security Incident’

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The United States has put its embassy in Ankara on lockdown after assassination of the Russian ambassador to Turkey at an art gallery nearby.

In a tweet on Monday, the US State Department advised all citizens to avoid the area following reports of a shooting near the embassy.

The alert came just moments after Andrey Karlov, was gunned down at the photo exhibition.

Moscow has said described the assault was a “terrorist act.”

The State Department described the ensuing situation at the embassy, approximately 2.5 miles away from the art gallery, as an “ongoing security incident.”

“All US citizens should avoid area near Embassy compound until further notice,” it said in a tweet.

The department also called on Americans to “avoid travel to southeast Turkey and carefully consider the risks of travel to and throughout the country.”

It is still unknown if the lockdown is related to the ambassador’s assassination.

Due to the upsurge in terrorist attacks in Turkey, Washington has been alerting citizens to avoid the country since October 29, cautioning them of “increased threats from terrorist groups throughout Turkey.”

The area where the ambassador was shot dead should specifically be avoided “at least until Tuesday morning, December 20.”

Credit: presstv

Police detonates bomb near U.S. embassy

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Philippine police on Monday conducted a controlled detonation of a homemade bomb found in a trash bin near the U.S. embassy in Manila and said militants sympathetic to Islamic State could have been responsible.

National police chief Ronald dela Rosa said components of the improvised explosive device suggested it could have been planted by the Maute, a Muslim rebel group that has pledged allegiance to Islamic State.

Maute’s fighters were locked in a standoff with the military for a third day in the country’s south.

More rebels were reported killed on Monday, taking the number of dead to 19.

“We could theorise that they could use this as a diversion,’’ dela Rosa told a news conference.

The embassy had no immediate comment on the discovery of the bomb, which was left about 200 meters from the compound.

Business there continued as normal, with dozens of Filipinos queuing outside for visa applications.

“An 81 mm mortar round was used as an explosive device and that was a signature of the group,’’ Dela Rosa said.

Similar components were used in a Sept. 2 bombing in Davao, which killed 15 people and wounded about 70.

Maute were blamed for that attack and four of its members were arrested and found with video clips of them pledging allegiance.

Dela Rosa said intelligence operations would be stepped up and checkpoints would be set up around the capital.

Since the Davao bombing, the Philippines has been under what is termed a “state of lawlessness”, allowing the military to support the police, if required by the president.

That has led to frequent speculation that martial law could be declared to support President Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly drugs war, something his office has repeatedly dismissed.

“For God’s sake, the government will not use an incident that will cause panic, fear and undue harm to declare martial law,’’ he said.

In Lanao, a restive southern province, soldiers battled the Maute group to re-take an old town hall building, sending hundreds of residents fleeing.

Army spokesman Major Filemon Tan said about a dozen soldiers had been wounded in an air-and-ground assault.

U.S Embassy Condemns Attack On IDP Camp Dikwa

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The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has condemned the suicide attack on the Internally Displaced Persons in Dikwa town, Borno state which has left over 51 persons dead and scores injured.

 

A statement from the Public Affairs section in the Information Office of the Embassy at the Federal Capital Territory says the United States remains committed to assisting the Internally Displaced Populations in the North-east through humanitarian relief efforts.

While extending the United States deepest condolences to the families of the victims, the statement says the U.S will also continue to support the Nigerian government in its fight against terrorism.

On Wednesday about 51 people died in a suicide bomb attack in Dikwa, a local council in Borno State, villagers say.

Seventy-eight injured persons have also been evacuated to Maiduguri, the capital city for treatment.

Nigerian Government Calls Halt to U.S. Training for Army

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The U.S. is cutting short a training program for Nigerian soldiers following a request by the West African nation’s government less than a month after Washington said it refused to sell the country Cobra attack helicopters.

“At the request of the Nigerian government, the United States will discontinue its training of a Nigerian Army battalion,” the U.S. Embassy in the capital, Abuja, said in an e-mailed statement. The program was designed to help Nigeria battle the Islamist militant group Boko Haram.

The U.S. turned down the helicopter request “due to concerns about Nigeria’s ability to use and maintain this type of helicopter in its effort against Boko Haram and ongoing concerns about the Nigerian military’s protection of civilians when conducting military operations,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in Washington on Nov. 12.

Nigeria’s military, under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan, is struggling to deal with intensifying attacks by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram.The insurgents have killed more than 13,000 people since 2009, according to Jonathan. Suspected Boko Haram members carried out two attacks on cities in Nigeria’s northeast today, killing at least five people.

“We regret premature termination of this training, as it was to be the first in a larger planned project that would have trained additional units with the goal of helping the Nigerian Army build capacity to counter Boko Haram,” the embassy said.

Credit: bloomberg.com

Obama’s Goodwill Message to Nigeria on 54th Independence

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United States’ President Barack Obama has sent his greetings and that of the American people to Nigerians on the 54th independence anniversary of the country.

The letter made available by the US Embassy in Abuja read in part: “At the heart of our enduring friendship is our shared commitment to democratic values, the rule of law, and economic development. We look forward to strengthening our relationship and working closely in the coming year, especially in promoting good governance and combating terrorism. As Nigerians observe this special day, we wish you a more peaceful and prosperous year.”

Obama added that the US was looking forward to strengthening its relationship with Nigeria in the coming year, especially on good governance.

On the other hand, President Goodluck Jonathan, in Abuja, on Tuesday, restated the commitment of his administration to doing what is right to improve the living standard of the people.

He stated that the desired transformation of the country could be realised within a short period of time, if government continued to take critical steps in the right direction. The president reiterated his position that the current challenges facing the country were temporary, adding that with the support and prayers of Nigerians, they would be over in no time.

These he revealed while receiving the Primatial Award of Excellence in Christian Stewardship from the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), at the Presidential Villa.

Other goodwill messages came from Senate President, David Mark, Speakerof the House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, Opposition leaders, State Governors, Stakeholders and business organisations as well.