By Wondrous Nnaemeka The Government of the United Kingdom(UK) has issued a travel advisory to British nationals in Nigeria, citing...
By Wondrous Nnaemeka
The Government of the United Kingdom(UK) has issued a travel
advisory to British nationals in Nigeria, citing worsening security situation.
It claimed that parts of the country were unsafe at the
moment, stressing rising insecurity in the areas may be motivated by financial
and political considerations.
“There’s a high threat of kidnap throughout Nigeria. Kidnaps
can be motivated by criminality or terrorism, and could be carried out for
financial or political gain.
“Anecdotal evidence suggests that the risk of kidnap
increases after dark. The security environment in the north east has
deteriorated since 2018 and there is a heightened risk of kidnap,” it disclosed
in a statement published on the UK government’s website, dated August 4.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/nigeria
Hence, it listed certain areas that Britons in the country
should be watchful of travelling to.
“The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against
all travel to:
Borno State
Yobe State
Adamawa State
Gombe State
-Riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and
Cross River States
Within 20km of the border with Niger in Zamfara State.”
The statement also added: “The FCO advise against all but
essential travel to:
Bauchi State
Zamfara State
Kano State
Kaduna State
Within 20km of the state border with Kaduna and Zamfara
states in Niger State, west of the Kaduna River
Jigawa State
Katsina State
Kogi State
Within 20km of the border with Niger in Sokoto and Kebbi
States
Non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers State
Abia State.”
According to the statement, terrorist activities are
reigning in parts of North and are likely to continue.
“Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in
Nigeria; most attacks occur in the north east, particularly in Borno, Yobe and
Adamawa States.
” There have also been significant attacks in Gombe, Kano,
Kaduna, Jos and Bauchi States and in the Federal capital, Abuja; further
attacks are likely,” it added.
But a Presidential Spokesperson, Femi Adesina, had in
previous weeks, maintained that though there were security challenges, the
country’s security operatives were doing their best to contain it.
However, UK urged its citizens to be wary of moving around
in the country as well as avoid large gatherings.
The statement further reads:
“Attacks could be indiscriminate and could affect western
interests as well as places visited by tourists.
“You should avoid places where crowds gather, including
political meetings, religious gatherings and places of worship, markets, shopping
malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, transport hubs and camps for displaced
people.
“Kidnaps in the north east have included humanitarian and
private sector workers. There are also reports that Boko Haram and Islamic
State West Africa (ISWA) are continuing to actively plan to kidnap foreigners.
“As well as in north-east Nigeria, extremist groups operate
in some northern and middle belt states including Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Kogi,
Kaduna, Niger and Adamawa.
“If you’re working or travelling in these States then you
should be aware of the risk of terrorist kidnapping.
“Before considering travel to areas to which the FCO advise
against all or all but essential travel you should take professional security
advice.
“Be vigilant at all times and keep others informed of your
travel plans If you’re working in Nigeria you should follow your employer’s
security advice, make sure your accommodation is secure and review your
security measures regularly.
“Consular support is offered in Nigeria although limited in
areas where the FCO has existing advice against all travel and all but
essential travel (as set out above).
“Around 117,000 British nationals visit Nigeria each year;
most visits are trouble-free.”
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