The United States embassy has debunked claims making the rounds that the United States Ambassador in Abuja had warned its citizens in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) against imminent attacks from terrorists thereby advising them to stay indoors.
As stated by the message, the envoy was stated to have alerted the Americans through emails that three bomb-laden cars had been parked in different locations in Abuja but was unsure who could be targeted by the terrorists.
The Whatsapp message warning Nigerians about the United States alert claimed: “Please, stay safe especially those in Abuja. I Just got this now from a friend & I 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, 3 cars in Abuja loaded with bombs planted in different areas. We are yet to know their targets. Pass the message please.”
However, speaking in Kaduna during a retreat organized for State House correspondents on Friday, US Counsellor for Public Affairs in the American embassy, Victoria Sloan, denied that the ambassador issued such warning.
She stated neither the ambassador, the United States mission or the United States government sent such message to American citizens in Abuja.
As stated by her, if the mission found out anything, it would normally place it on its website but in this case, it had not posted such material on the consular Internet.
She therefore urged the media to help to refute the claim.
She said: “The ambassador did not send the message, the mission or the United States 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.”