The U.S. Department of State has spoken again on its authorization of the evacuation of “non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members” from Nigeria especially its capital Abuja, saying it is for now voluntary.
Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the State Department told a Press Briefing in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday that the “decision for voluntary departure” was taken “out of an abundance of caution related to an elevated risk of terror attacks.”
The U.S. State Department, in announcing the approval of the evacuation in its updated travel advisory on Nigeria on Tuesday said:
“On October 25, 2022, the Department authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks.
“The U.S. Embassy Abuja continues to have limited ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Nigeria. The U.S. Consulate in Lagos is providing all routine and emergency services to U.S. citizens in Nigeria.”
Patel said on Wednesday that the departure for now is on voluntary basis and not compulsory.
Full Press Briefing on Nigeria follows:
QUESTION: Very quick question on Nigeria.
MR PATEL: Sure.
QUESTION: I think it was yesterday or the day before – I’m confused – there was a Travel Advisory for the – not the evacuation but asking personnel, nonessential, to leave —
MR PATEL: Sure.
QUESTION: — because of the threats. Has that now – that was on a voluntary basis. Has that become compulsory now?
MR PATEL: That has not. That has not. So as you all know, the department overall continues to adjust and make assessments on its posture at our various embassies and missions and consulates throughout the world in line with local security, the environment, and other factors such as public health.
In the case of Nigeria, yesterday (Tuesday) the department did approve the authorized departure, which is the technical term in this situation, for family members and non-emergency U.S. government officials in Abuja. We made this decision for voluntary departure out of an abundance of caution related to an elevated risk of terror attacks, specifically in Abuja. But it is still at the authorized departure level. I don’t have any —
QUESTION: So no changes?
MR PATEL: No changes.
QUESTION: It’s not – it’s still voluntary?
MR PATEL: Correct.