As the US Embassy in Nigeria cautioned American citizens to be on the alert and keep a low profile across the country, parts of Abuja and Nasarawa State were rocked by protests by Shiites and youths over the killing of Iranian General, Qasem Suleimani in Iraq.
Qasem and his aides were killed by a drone strike authorised by American President, Donald Trump.
In a post on its website, the embassy wrote: “Due to recent world events, U.S. citizens should review their personal security measures. While we have no specific threat information, it is prudent to remind ourselves of the following personal security actions to follow on a regular basis.
“Actions to take: Be aware of your surroundings; keep a low profile; avoid crowds and demonstrations; exercise caution when walking or driving at night; carry proper identification; review your personal security plans and monitor local media for updates.”
In parts of Abuja, members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, known as Shi’ites, and some youths took to the streets burning US flags and chanting anti-American songs.
A similar protest was reported at suburbs of Nasarawa State, bordering the Federal Capital City (FCT). This led to a traffic jam on that route regularly troubled by snarls on the road.
The Shi’ites, with roots in Iran, reiterated their demand for the release of their leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat.