US warns Americans abroad about potential violent assaults in Nigeria

American citizens residing abroad, notably in Nigeria, have been warned by the US administration of potential violent attacks.

The US Department of State said in a statement on Thursday that the decision was based on information gathered about potential protests against Americans and citizens around the world.

“The Department of State warns American citizens abroad to exercise increased vigilance due to rising tensions in several parts of the world and the possibility of terrorist attacks, protests, or violent acts against U.S. citizens and interests. Americans should:

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The US Department of State advised Americans to “stay vigilant in tourist-heavy areas” and urged them to “follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter” as well as “enrol in the Smart Traveller Enrollment Programme (STEP) to receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency abroad.”

Nearly the same information was included in a travel notice that the US Department had earlier posted to its Middle Eastern residents.

The United States’ support of Israel in its continuing conflict with Hamas militants operating out of Gaza, a Palestinian territory, may not be unrelated to the alert.

There have been protests all across the world in response to the development.