Terror Attacks: Panic check-outs hits Sheraton Hotels... As high end customers leave in droves

Sheraton, Ikeja, Lagos

 Following the recent warning by the United States to its citizens of a planned terror attacks on Sheraton hotels in Lagos, several of the five star’s hotel high profile customers and clients are already leaving in droves.

An insider, who spoke with SHOWBIZPLUSng on the condition of anonymity, said the sacred customers, mostly wealthy Nigerian business men, company executives, top politicians and diplomats are already checking out of the embattled hotels in droves.

The hotels, owned by Starwood, are the Sheraton Hotel and Towers Lagos and the Four Points By Sheraton Lagos.

The US Consul General in Lagos, in an alert on the website of the US Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria on Friday, warned American residents and those coming into the country to avoid certain places in the country.

It reads, “The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Nigeria and recommends that U.S. citizens avoid all travel to Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states because of the May 14, 2013 state of emergency proclamation for those three states by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“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 embassy urged US citizens to review their personal security plans and to remain conscious of their surroundings, including local events. It also told them to monitor local news stations for updates, to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.

However, Starwood management, owners of the Sheraton hotels, said the hotels were on the alert to protect its customers and the facilities.

In a tacit statement on Saturday, the Area Public Relations Manager, Starwood Hotels in Nigeria, Nanji Tyem, said, “The Sheraton Lagos and the Four Points By Sheraton Lagos are on high alert and are operating with heightened security measures. These actions are merely precautionary at this time.”

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command said it was evaluating the information.

In a text message to our correspondent on Saturday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, said, “As a responsible law enforcement agency, we do not trivialise information, even though there is nothing empirical that gives credence to that information.

“While we are evaluating this information, we have taken proactive measures by tightening up security in strategic places such as worship centres, market places, events and recreational places, shopping malls, hotels, financial institutions and government installations.

“Lagosians are advised to go about their normal duties, as enough security and intelligence have been put in place.”