Top star hotels in Lagos have raised their security level to forestall attack, following the alert sounded by the United States that insurgents may target them.
U.S. diplomats in Nigeria warned on May 2 that “groups associated with terrorism” could be planning to attack some hotels in Lagos.
The warning specified Sheraton Hotel and Four Points By Sheraton in Lagos, two hotels owned by Starwood.
TheNiche observed that right from the main entrance to Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja, security has been tightened with bomb detectors used to check in-coming cars.
Police officers join in-house security personnel to man the main gate.
High level security does not, however, seem to affect patronage as vehicles drive in with customers every minute.
The U.S. Consul General in Lagos, in an alert on its website warned American residents and those coming into Nigeria to avoid the two Sheraton Hotels in Lagos and some other places.
But Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State kicked against the American approach, saying they would have discussed information available to them with the government.
The U.S. Consul General warned of the risks of travel to Nigeria and recommended that American citizens avoid all travel to Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States because of the state of emergency proclamation for those three states on May 14, 2013 by the federal government.
“As of late April, groups associated with terrorism allegedly planned to mount an unspecified attack against the Sheraton hotel in Nigeria, near the city of Lagos. There was no further information regarding which of the two Sheraton hotels in Lagos was the possible target or if both of the Sheraton hotels are possible targets.
“There is no further information regarding the timing or method of attack. U.S. citizens are cautioned to avoid these hotels at this time.
“The security situation in the country remains fluid and unpredictable. The U.S. Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens in Nigeria to keep personal safety and health in the forefront of your planning,” the statement read.
But the Area Public Relations Manager, Starwood Hotels in Nigeria, Nanji Tyem, explained in a statement that ‘the Sheraton Lagos’ and ‘the Four Points By Sheraton Lagos’ are on high alert and operating with heightened security measures.
These actions are merely precautionary at this time, Tyem said.
