Demonstrations and Crowds: Victoria Island and Lekki Peninsula
The wake for the late Funsho Williams will be held this evening, at 5:00 p.m., at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. A memorial ceremony will take place at the same location tomorrow, Thursday 10, 2006. The ceremony will begin at approximately 8:15 a.m., and will be followed at 11:00 a.m. by a funeral mass to be held at Lekki Phase 1. The funeral will take place at Victoria Garden City and will be followed by a reception at Tafawa Balewa Square at approximately 4:00 p.m. Other events are also scheduled for the Law School, Ozumba Mbadiwe on Wednesday and Thursday.
Heavy flow of vehicular and human traffic can be expected today in and around the Tafawa Balewa area of Lagos, as well as tomorrow along Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island and down through the Lekki – Ajah Expressway. Demonstrations in support of the slain politician should be expected at all of the venues listed. All mission members are advised to avoid unnecessary travel through the designated areas during the next two days.
The U.S. Mission in Nigeria advises all American citizens to exercise caution, avoid demonstrations and large crowds, and carefully assess local conditions and act accordingly. American citizens are urged to review their security procedures, remain vigilant to their surroundings, and report specific incidences of targeted violence to the U.S. Consulate in Lagos 01-261-0050. You may also email the Lagos Consular Section at lagoscons2@state.gov.