Following reported security threats within the Federal Capital Territory, the management of Jabi Lake Mall has shut down operations.
The management in a post on its Instagram page said the decision was taken for the overall safety of all staff and valued customers of the mall.
The post read in part,
“Centre Management is committed to minimising any disruptions; however, the safety of our staff and shoppers remains our highest priority. Management is constantly reviewing the security situation in consultation with relevant security authorities and will inform you when the mall will be re-opened.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and hope to provide you with a quality shopping experience soon. Thank you.”
In an emergency security alert to American citizens in the country on October 23, the US Embassy had warned its citizens about the presence of “an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja”.
The targets, it said, “may include, but are not limited to, government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities, and international organisations”.
Less than 48 hours after announcing the security alert, the United States government authorised the evacuation of its employees and their families from Nigeria.
The US State Department announced the approval of the evacuation in its updated Nigeria travel advisory on Tuesday evening.
But the federal government in a swift response to the development yesterday, said it would not be stampeded by whatever any government tells its citizens to do.
This came as confusion on Tuesday night when security forces reportedly raided Trademore residential Estate, Abuja, following a tipoff on the presence of terrorists in the estate.
(Editor: Oloyede Oworu)
