Wetin dey happen for Abuja? The US Embassy just announce say dem don close visa appointments for Abuja. The announcement come quick-quick, and Nigerians dey wonder wetin dey sup. According to the US Mission Nigeria statement wey dem post for X, all visa applicants for Abuja go get reschedule. But visa operations for Lagos consulate dey continue. American citizen services for Abuja na only emergency and by appointment now.
This closure follow one travel advisory wey the US issue just 24 hours before. The advisory warn Americans say make dem no visit some northern states like Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba. Dem talk say terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crime dey high for those areas. Even some southern states like Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers State get warning. The US government don place Nigeria for “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” category, while 23 states now dey for “Level 4: Do Not Travel.”
Nigerians don react with mixed feelings for social media. Some dey fear say something sinister dey happen. One user wey dey call 0xmonac write say, “Something sinister is definitely cooking…the US cannot just come out of the blue and then close its Embassy in Abuja…something is cooking.” Another user, Plateau Asian girl (@CatiaKyen), advise people to dey vigilant. Dem talk say, “This feels like they’re seeing something the rest of us aren’t seeing yet.”
But the Nigerian government don respond say the country no dey unsafe. Officials talk say while isolated security challenges dey, no general breakdown of law and order dey happen. Dem urge citizens and international community no to panic. Still, the embassy closure don cause plenty yarns. Many Nigerians believe say foreign governments get intelligence wey dem no share publicly.
This no be the only US action wey affect Nigerians recently. The US Department of Homeland Security don reduce deportation list of Nigerians from 130 to 110. These individuals dey for “worst-of-the-worst” criminal register. Names like Boluwaji Akingunsoye, Ejike Asiegbunam, Emmanuel Mayegun Adeola, and others dey for the updated list. The DHS no disclose timeline for deportations or specific offences.
Political figures don comment on the situation. Comrade Timi Frank, former deputy national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), don call for US visa bans and asset freezes on key officials of the Federal Government. Frank accuse the administration of President Bola Tinubu of using state institutions to weaken opposition. He talk say institutions like the judiciary and legislature dey frustrate opposition forces.
Frank also accuse the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, of funding activities wey undermine democracy. He describe the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as “biased and unfit.” Frank talk say he ready to provide information on assets owned by Nigerian public officials for US, UK, and UAE to facilitate sanctions.
Peter Obi, Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for 2023 election, talk say Nigeria should treat the US directive as national emergency. Obi describe the situation as “deeply worrisome” for a country wey dey struggle to attract investors. He talk say Nigeria rank fourth for Global Terrorism Index, and insecurity dey worsen with lives lost daily.
Obi talk say, “There is a glaring absence of effective governance; instead, what prevails are schemes that undermine democratic processes.” He add say the US directive show declining confidence in national security architecture. Reports say another Army Brigadier General don die to terrorists for Borno today.
For now, visa operations continue for Lagos consulate. Emergency services dey available for Abuja by appointment. No official confirmation of imminent attack dey. But the combination of staff evacuation, travel warnings, and embassy service disruption don create unease. For country wey already dey face multiple security challenges, even precautionary move fit feel like warning.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
