None of Our Officials Was Shot in Abuja, US Embassy Clarifies

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has debunked a media report that one of its officials was shot in Abuja.

It also put lie to the report that the security of the Embassy in Abuja, had been beefed up as a result of the “false” attack.

A newspaper (not THISDAY), had reported that security around the United States Embassy in Abuja, had been beefed up following the shooting of an official of the embassy, last Thursday.

The newspaper had also reported that other embassies and foreign missions have upped their security level, while urging their citizens and officials to take their security more seriously.

But responding to enquiries by THISDAY, Senior Media Specialist|Public Affairs, US Department of State Embassy Abuja, Aishah Gambari, revealed that it was a Nigerian Police officer without any attachment to the US Embassy that was shot in an apparent robbery attempt on him.

Gambari explained: “On Friday, a Nigerian Police Force officer was shot in the course of an apparent robbery attempt against him.

“No US Embassy staff or officials, Nigerian or American, were involved. There is no change to the embassy security posture.”

She however added that: “We refer you to the Nigerian police force for any further information.”