US disowns alert on Boko Haram threat in Abuja

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The Embassy of the United States of America in Nigeria on Friday disowned a message that has gone viral in the social media, alerting citizens to an imminent attack by the Boko Haram sect in Abuja.

The Embassy’s Counselor for Public Affairs, Victoria Sloan, made the denial while speaking at a three-day retreat organised for State House correspondents in Kaduna.

The message as being circulated claimed that American envoy had alerted citizens that three bomb-laden cars had been parked in different locations in Abuja but was unsure who could be targeted by the terrorists.

The message read, “Please, stay safe especially those in Abuja. I Just got this now from a friend and see no harm in sharing:

“For those who stay in Abuja or those who have relatives there, please read this:

“American ambassador called and emailed all Americans to tell them to stay indoors, three cars in Abuja loaded with bombs planted in different areas. We are yet to know their targets. Pass the message please.”

But Sloan said there was no truth in the message.

She explained that if the Embassy has stumbled on such intelligence, it would have posted it on its website.

She therefore urged the media to help to refute the claim.

She said, “The ambassador did not send the message, the mission or the US government did not send the message.

“When we observe something, we check and put on the consular internet.

“Help to refute it and let your readership, listenership know it’s not true.”

Source: Punch