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The U.S Embassy on Tuesday announced a temporary closure of its Abuja Consulate section until further notice, putting all consular appointments at the Abuja US Embassy for visa and American Citizen Service are temporarily on hold.
On Wednesday, it announced when the embassy office is likely to resume operations.
A statement on the embassy’s website reads: “Due to reasons beyond our control we are temporarily unable to provide regular services for visas and American Citizen Services 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. Please monitor the Facebook and Webpage of the U.S. Embassy for updates on consular operations. Scheduled visa and ACS applicants for Abuja will be contacted for rescheduling.
“American citizens in northern Nigeria with urgent travel needs who are travelling before Eid-el-Kabir and who are willing to re-schedule their travel through Lagos should contact the ACS office at Consulate Lagos (01460 3600 and [email protected]) to discuss their options. Those travelling after August 23 should follow-up with [email protected] to confirm their appointments closer to their appointment date.
“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.”
The embassy revealed that it hopes to reopen the Abuja office after the Eid-el-Kabir holidays.
“We regret the inconvenience this has caused to our applicants in Abuja and hope to resume operations after the Eid-El-Kabir holidays. Please monitor the Facebook and Webpage of the US Embassy for the next status update of consular operations in Abuja” it said.