Terrorism: British govt lists over 20 Nigerian states it citizens must not travel to

Sequel to the terror alert raised by the United States (U.S.) government and four others about a possible attacks in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in October, the government of the United Kingdom (U.K) has issued another terror alert advisory on Monday 7th, November about possible attacks in at least 22 states in Nigeria.

Recall that the Federal Government, through the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), took exception to the initial advisories issued by the European nations.

They said that the security agencies needed not to wait for advisories before they carry out their constitutional roles of defending the country.

But the UK has excluded the FCT from the list of cities that its citizens should avoid. It, however, warned that some risks remain.

The U.S. offered to evacuate non-essential members of staff who wanted to leave the country when it issued the terror alert about two weeks ago.

In the travel advice issued yesterday, the UK cautioned its citizens to make only essential visits to any of the identified 22 states.

The states include: Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, Abia, Plateau, Taraba, all within 20 kilometres of the border with Niger in Kebbi State and non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States.

The UK also advised against all travel to Borno; Yobe; Adamawa; Gombe; Kaduna; Katsina and Zamfara states as well as the riverine areas of Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

The advisory reads: “On Monday, 7 November, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its Travel Advice for the Federal Capital Territory, including the city of Abuja, from ‘Amber’: ‘advise against all but essential travel’, to ‘Green’: ‘see our Travel Advice before travelling’.

“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 non-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.

“The UK keeps its travel advice under regular review and 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. British nationals should read the travel advice before travelling.”