US warns of a possible attack in Nigeria during Eid festivities

The United States has warned of a possible attack on expatriates and international visitors in its largest city of Lagos during the celebrations of the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

“The U.S. Mission in Nigeria advises that groups associated with terrorist activity might be planning attacks against hotels in Lagos frequented by international visitors, including those located on waterfronts, during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays (5 and 6 July 2016),” the message posted on the US Embassy website said.

Tuesday and Wednesday are holidays in Nigeria to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

In 2015, the US had issued warnings of possible attacks on the Sheraton hotels in Nigeria, and in previous years on hotels in the federal capital Abuja.

The US State Department in June also issued a warning over the possibility of terror attacks in South Africa ahead of the month of Ramadan.

South African officials however downplayed the warning saying their security agents are already on high alert to ensure safety of its citizens and Americans.

Lagos has a population of about 20 million people and has always been relatively spared by the violence in the north and north-eastern of Nigeria perpetrated by the Islamist group Boko Haram.