Insecurity: UK Government Warns Citizens To Avoid 22 States In Nigeria Over Possible Terrorist Attack

By Akinwale Kasali

For the second time in less than a month, the United Kingdom has warned its citizens to avoid travelling to 22 States out of the 36 In Nigeria.

The States are: Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, Abia, Plateau, Taraba, Kebbi, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers  and  Borno

The purpose of the travel update is to give its nationals  better-informed decisions about international travel and plan for a trouble-free trip.

The statement reads:

“FCDO travel advice exists to inform British nationals so they can make decisions about travelling abroad. There continues to be a number of States in Nigeria where we advise British Nationals against all but essential travel.  These include: Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, Abia, Plateau, Taraba, within 20km of the border with Niger in Kebbi State and riverine areas of 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.

“This is connected to the spate of insecurity ravaging the country, as the UK Government exempted the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, from the list, but cautioned its citizens to be on alert.

The UK keeps its travel advice under regular review  in making these assessments, and uses information from a wide range of sources.  The travel advice is constantly reviewed to make sure it reflects the current situation 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 makes clear that some risks remain.”

It would be recalled that recently, the UK High Commission and its Ambassador, Catriona Laing alerted its citizens of a possible attack in Abuja, forcing the Federal Government to order  Security Agencies to further beef up security in the nation capital.