The British Government has once again through the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), advised its citizens against traveling to the 22 states of Nigeria.
This comes almost 14 days after the UK and US governments along with some other countries raised the alarm of possible terror attacks in Abuja and may not be linked3d to the high rate of insecurity across the country.
This disclosure was contained in a press release issued on Monday by the British High Commission, Abuja, with the title, ‘Updated Foreign Commonwealth Development Office Travel Advice to British Nationals Traveling to the FCT.’
Although the UK government has not included Abuja in the list of cities that its citizens should avoid, it has stated that the purpose of the travel update is to help its nationals make more informed decisions. about international travel and plan for a hassle-free trip.
States to avoid: The UK has listed states to avoid including Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, Abia, Plateau, and Taraba, within 20km of the Niger border in Kebbi State and non-riverine areas in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States.
- Others are Borno State, Yobe State, Adamawa State, Gombe State, Kaduna State, Katsina State, Zamfara state, and the riverine areas of Delta State, Bayelsa State, Rivers State, Akwa Ibom State and Cross River State.
The statement says, “FCDO travel advice exists to inform British nationals so they can make decisions about traveling abroad.
More on the statement below…
- There continue to be many states in Nigeria where we advise British Nationals against all but essential travel. These include Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, Abia, Plateau, and Taraba, within 20km of the Niger border in Kebbi State and non-riverine areas in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States.
- “We also advise against all travel to Borno State, Yobe State, Adamawa State, Gombe State, Kaduna State, Katsina State, Zamfara state, and the riverine areas of Delta State, Bayelsa State, Rivers State, Akwa Ibom State and Cross River State.
- “The UK keeps its travel advice under regular review and in making these assessments uses information from a number of sources.
- Travel advice is regularly reviewed to ensure it reflects current conditions in Abuja and Nigeria. Although the FCDO Travel Advice no longer advises against all but essential travel to the Federal Capital Territory, including the city of Abuja, it explains that some risks remain.“
Back Story: Recall that on October 23, 2022, the US and UK Governments warned their Nigerian citizens of a possible terror attack in the country’s capital city of Abuja.
- The warnings were contained in separate alerts to UK and US citizens in Nigeria that said a possible terror attack could affect Western interests.
- Although the US State Department did not specify the threat, it issued a notice that its embassy in Abuja will continue to have limited ability to provide emergency assistance to its citizens in Nigeria, while the US Consulate in Lagos continues to provide routine and emergency services to US citizens in Nigeria.
- The UK Government has also advised against all but essential travel to Abuja.
Both countries said possible areas of attack could include government buildings, places of worship, schools, and markets among other targets.