By Olamilekan FAWAS
The U.S. Embassy Nigeria, said it has temporarily suspended its consular services in Abuja due to reasons beyond its control.
The embassy in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja maintained that its Consulate Office in Lagos was not affected by the development.
While expressing regret on the inconvenience the development might have caused to applicants, the embassy expressed hope to resume its operations soon in Abuja.
The embassy in its website earlier did not give reason for the suspension of its consular services in Abuja, which it, however, later did in a statement.
“Due to reasons beyond our control we are temporarily unable to provide regular services for visa and American Citizen Services (ACS) in Abuja, but other offices within the embassy remain open.
“Please note that consular functions at the U.S. Consulate Lagos are not affected and will continue.
”Until further notice, applicants are encouraged to contact the Consular Office in Lagos for immediate emergency travel,” the embassy stated.
The embassy advised applicants to please monitor the Facebook and Webpage of the U.S. Embassy for updates on consular operations.
It stated that scheduled visa and ACS applicants for Abuja would be contacted for rescheduling.
”American citizens in northern Nigeria with emergency services needs should continue to contact the after-hours emergency number for Abuja at 09461-4000 and press “0” to go to the operator to request assistance.
”We regret the inconvenience this has caused to our applicants and hope to resume operations soon,” it stated.
