Nigeria tightens security after Washington ordered its diplomats to leave Abuja

Nigerian police announced that they are tightening security across the country after the United States ordered its non-essential diplomats and their families to leave Abuja, due to the "escalating threat of terrorist attacks" in the capital.

But later Friday, the United States said it was only evacuating families from the Nigerian capital but not diplomats, clarifying its earlier statement.

In its new statement, the State Department clarified that the departure order only applies to families and that non-essential diplomats have the option to stay and have not been asked to leave.

While the nature of the threat remains unknown, residents of the Federal Capital Territory have been on high alert since Sunday after several Western embassies issued warnings advising their citizens to limit travel to Nigeria, the country with the largest population in Africa.

In a statement Thursday evening, the Nigerian police called on its senior officers to "strengthen security in their areas, especially in the federal capital."

Inspector General of Police Osman Alkali Baba asked the district's six million residents to "be vigilant and report any incidents or suspicious persons to the police."

Residents of Abuja and surrounding areas, including Western diplomats, are increasingly concerned about insecurity after a mass escape in July from Kogi Prison on the outskirts of the capital.

At the time, more than 400 detainees escaped, including dozens of suspected extremists.

The police and the army announced the reinforcement of security measures in and around the capital, but Abuja is surrounded by mountainous areas and forests that are difficult to secure.

Extremists often launch attacks in parts of northeastern Nigeria, far from the federal capital, but there are cells present in other parts of the country.

Follow our latest local and sports news and the latest political and economic developments via Google news