The Canadian government has issued a warning to its citizens to desist from making non-essential travels to virtually all parts of Nigeria, due to the spate of security challenges bedeviling the most populous African country.
This directive was given in a statement issued on Tuesday and titled “Nigeria Travel Advice”.
In the statement, the Canadian government said the directive became imperative following several cases of terrorism, armed attacks, kidnapping, and crime among other depravities.
The North American country also categorically listed Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara and Yobe among states its citizens should avoid in the country. According to the statement, the listed states are hotbeds of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
Also, Abuja, Calabar the capital of Cross Rivers and Lagos were also flagged for crimes.
The statement partly reads: “Avoid non-essential travel to Nigeria due to the unpredictable security situation throughout the country and the significant risk of terrorism, crime, inter-communal clashes, armed attacks and kidnappings.
“Avoid all travel to the following regions due to the risk of terrorism, armed attacks, kidnapping, intercommunal and sectarian violence: the north-western states of Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara, the north-central state of Plateau, the north-eastern states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa and Yobe, the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers (with the exception of Rivers’ capital city, Port Harcourt, where we advise against non-essential travel).
“Exercise a high degree of caution in the cities of Abuja, Calabar and Lagos due to the incidence of crime.
“There is a threat of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in the following northwestern and northeastern states: Adamawa, bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara and Yobe.
“Bandit groups are increasingly active in the northwest, including in Kaduna state. Violent attacks involving gunfire and explosives, as well as kidnappings, are frequent. They have targeted: motorists, transportation hubs and networks and local communities.”
