about the threat of attacks by extremist groups following the violence
in Libya and Egypt, urging extra caution.
The "emergency message" issued to Americans living in Africa's most
populous country came after militants attacked the U.S consulate in
Benghazi, killing the country's ambassador and three other Americans,
hours after a mob attacked the U.S embassy in Cairo, AFP news agency
reports.
"Extremists may attempt to target U.S citizens and other Westerners in
Nigeria," the embassy said in a statement.
It noted that radical groups in Nigeria have killed hundreds in recent
months in attacks on a range of targets.
"The situation in Nigeria remains fluid and unpredictable," the
statement said, urging Americans "to consider their personal
security."
On Wednesday, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar,
ordered "24-hour water-tight security" at all foreign embassies.
The attacks in Cairo and Benghazi were initially believed to have been
perpetrated by mobs outraged over an amateur Internet film made in
America that insulted Islam but U.S officials later said the Benghazi
attack might have been planned.
Religiously-linked violence has killed thousands of Nigerians in
recent years. Radical Islamist group Boko Haram is blamed for more
than 1,400 deaths since 2010, while sectarian clashes between Muslim
and Christian communities have killed thousands more.
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