Following the issuance of a security advisory of the elevated risk of terror attacks in Abuja, the Nigerian capital by the authorities of the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (U.S), Canada and Australia have followed suit by issuing warnings to their citizens to stay alert.
Canada in its travel advisory urged its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Nigeria, including to Abuja, due to the unpredictable security situation throughout the country.
In the advisory, the Canadian authorities also urged its citizens to avoid non-essential travels to Northwestern states including Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina, among others, as well North-Eastern states and some South-South states.
The advisory reads, “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 Calabar and Lagos due to the incidence of crime.”
Similarly, the Australian government also warned its citizens that there is an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, especially in Abuja.
“We now advise not to travel to Abuja due to the very high threat of terrorist attacks. If you’re in Abuja, avoid all travel, stay alert and follow local news and the advice of security authorities.
“Reconsider your need to travel to Nigeria overall due to high threats of terrorist attack and kidnapping, the volatile security situation, possible violent civil unrest and high levels of violent crime. Higher levels apply,” the government said in its advisory note.
