US embassy in Nigeria warns of possible bombing attacks

According to the US embassy, an Islamist group may be planning to bomb hotels in Abuja after carrying out several deadly attacks in north-eastern Nigeria.

Possible targets of the Boko Haram group have been named and include the Hilton, Nicon Luxury and Sheraton hotels.

Pope Benedict XVI appealed for the violence to end after the Nigerian Red Cross said that more than 100 had died in attacks in the town of Damaturu.

The warning of the possible bomb attacks came after the announcement and the US embassy warning was regarded as unusually specific.

Diplomats, politicians and Nigeria’s business elite are usually attracted the hotels named and the embassy has instructed its diplomats and staff to avoid these hotels.