US warns citizens in Nigeria of possible 'terrorist threat'

LAGOS, March 10 - The U.S. embassy in Nigeria warned American citizens of a possible "terrorist threat" against U.S. facilities and affiliated schools in the West African country in a security alert late on Monday.

* The embassy has been on heightened alert since the U.S.and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran. * U.S. citizens should take additional precautions whentraveling to the embassy in the capital Abuja and the U.S.consulate in commercial capital Lagos and U.S.-affiliatedschools, the embassy said. * The embassy did not give details on the security threat,but Nigerian authorities have in recent days stepped up securityin Abuja following threats of pro-Iranian protests. * In northern Nigeria, where there is a sizeable Shi'iteMuslim minority influenced by Iran, thousands of protesters havetaken to the streets to march in support of Iran.