Guests Flee Abuja Luxury Hotels For Fear Of 'Boko Haram'

Sequel to the warning issued by the US embassy over impending attack on 3 Luxury hotel in Nigeria, Guests yesterday deserted the three major hotels in Abuja which were listed on the security alert issued by the United States government.

The security alert had indicated that members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect might launch an attack on Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Sheraton Hotel and Towers as well as Nicon Luxury Hotel.

Guests virtually deserted the three hotels during the day, even when extra security measures were put in place to forestall attack on the facilities.

Soldiers guarded
the main gates to the hotel while vehicles going into the premises were carefully checked before being allowed in.

Bags and other personal effects of guests, seeking entry into the hotel were also subjected to thorough searches before tallies were issued by the gatemen.

The back gates of the hotel were locked and a Volkswagen Passat car was packed directly behind a stone hedge apparently built by the hotel management.

Virtually all the parking bays in the hotel were empty while a few foreign guests were spotted discussing in front of the main lobby of the hotel complex.

At Sheraton, soldiers and riot policemen mounted sentry at the main gates and personally checked every vehicle going into the hotel.

The security operatives, who showed high level of
professionalism politely, asked visitors to the hotel to open the boots of their cars and their luggage for checks.

After searching a vehicle, the security operatives thanked the driver for being patient with them and waved him to drive on.

However, the parking areas within the complex were almost empty while a few persons where found inside the reception hall.

Fresh security screening was carried out on guests before they were allowed into the swimming pool area.

The main bar, the Obudu Grill and other exclusive areas of the hotel were patronized by a handful of guests while the hitherto busy walkways were deserted.

At Nicon Luxury,
operatives of the State Security Service watched over the main gates of the complex from a reasonable distance.

The SSS men who spotted
black T-shirts watched the
hotel gates from two jeeps they parked slightly behind the security house.

While they were not involved in checking vehicles coming in to the premises, they however, watched as the hotel security men and women frisked cars and passengers before being allowed in.

Apart from the swimming pool area where a few guests were found bathing and dancing to music played by an in-house Disc Jockey, the other facilities were deserted.

Our correspondent reported that the reception area, the Oxygen Bar and the restaurants were empty while a few guests including foreigners were seen moving in and out of the hotel.