From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja

The Government of the United States, has directed its non-emergency staff to immediately depart from Nigeria.

The development followed Sunday warning by the United States and the United Kingdom of possible attacks in Abuja.

Reuters reported that the United State Department gave the authorisation that the United States non-emergency government employees and their families should leave the country as a result of heightened risk of terrorist attacks in Nigeria.

“The U.S. Embassy Abuja continues to have limited ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Nigeria,” the State Department reportedly said.