Embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Canada on Wednesday issued fresh warnings to their citizens, advising them not to travel to Nigeria.
The embassies hinged their warnings on the deployment of troops in northern Mali, fearing attacks on Nigeria by Islamic terrorists with sympathy for the Malian rebels, especially on Thursday (today) that has already been declared a public holiday to mark the birth of Prophet Mohammed.
Nigerian 1,200 troops arrived in Bamako, Malian capital, on Sunday as part of an international military intervention to end the crisis in the northern part of Mali.
Canadian embassy, for example, on its website advised its citizens against non-essential travel to Nigeria, with exception of Abuja; Calabar, Cross River State; and Lagos.
It also described the security situation throughout the country as unpredictable, adding that there was a significant risk of terrorism, crime, inter- communal clashes, armed attacks and kidnappings.
The warning read in part: “Increased threat of attacks and kidnappings Military clashes are occurring in Mali between armed rebels and government forces. Since January 11, 2013, the French military has been assisting the Malian government in efforts to repel these rebels.
“Terrorist groups in the region have declared their intention to increase attacks and kidnappings, targeting Westerners. Citizens of countries supporting the military intervention are at particular risk, but all travellers should exercise increased vigilance in the region.
“There is a high threat of domestic terrorism in the northern states of Gombe, Yobe, Borno, Kano and Kaduna, where the extremist group, Boko Haram, which often claims responsibility for terrorist attacks, is based.
“Boko Haram-related attacks have resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries. A state of emergency is in effect in some areas of Borno and Yobe states.
“There is a risk of foreign nationals being kidnapped in some northern states of Nigeria.”
The UK, on its website which was updated on January 13, 2013, and marked, “Still current” on 23 January, 2013, said, “We advise against all travel to: Borno State, Yobe State, Riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. Warri city, Kano city.
“We advise against ALL BUT ESSENTIAL travel to: Bauchi State, Jos city, Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas in Plateau State, Gombe State, Mubi Town in Adamawa State and the area north of Mubi Town that borders Borno State.
“Non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states; Abia State, Kaduna City and Zaria City.
“There is a high threat from terrorism in Nigeria. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including government, security and educational institutions, international organisations as well as public venues and areas such as restaurants, bars, markets, hotels, shopping centres, places of worship and other areas frequented by expatriates, foreign tourists and business travellers.
“A number of attacks have taken place around religious and public holidays. There have been regular attacks on churches in northern Nigeria at times of worship. We cannot therefore rule out further attacks taking place. You should be particularly vigilant at these times and in these locations.
You should avoid affected areas in the immediate aftermath of an attack.
“Following French military intervention in Mali, there is a possibility of retaliatory attacks targeting Western interests in the region. We advise vigilance.”
On its part, the US Mission in Nigeria said on its website, “The U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria encourages US citizens in Nigeria to remain vigilant in light of recent events in Mali and the potential for retaliatory actions towards westerners in the region.”
It, however, noted, “There is currently no specific information on threats against US citizens in Nigeria. It is prudent to be aware of events occurring in other countries of the region.
“As a precaution, US citizens in Nigeria should exercise caution when in public areas, particularly areas frequented by westerners such as: hotels, nightclubs, and various forms of public transportation including ferries.”
It also advised citizens to “stay tuned to media reports, be aware of your surroundings, and report suspicious activity or unattended packages to the police. As always, avoid demonstrations should you come upon them.”
Germany said, “Due to the military operation in Mali, also Germans in Nigeria have to act on the assumption of an increasing endangerment. Please take note of the updated travel advice of the German Foreign Office.”
When one of our correspondents contacted the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj-Gen. Bola Koleosho, he said that the tone of the Canadian alert to its citizens was not out of place.
He said that it was a note of warning to their citizens so they would be careful.
He said that there was nothing wrong in the advice they gave to their citizens.
The Army spokesman said that the warning did not mean that the Nigerian security agencies did not know what they were doing or lacked the competence to secure the society.
He said that it was rather encouraging that the statement urged the foreign citizens to report any unusual movement to security agencies.
He said, “They are free to warn their citizens, that doesn’t mean there is Armageddon
“The decision to go to Mali is a joint decision of all ECOWAS countries, which has the support of the international community.
“What they are doing is to warn their citizens. It doesn’t mean we are not capable; it is just a word of caution.”
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Ur citizens can't do without the wealth in Nigeria!
ReplyDeleteYou are so silly "Anonymous". What is wrong in a government advising its citizens in Nigeria. What wealth in Nigeria? Half of the population live in poverty and filth. I don't call that wealth.
DeleteThey see and even know more of the evil going on in Nigeria more than we here.
ReplyDeleteThey know very well that Nigeria is like a time Bomb waiting to explode, But GOD will help us in the mist of all the evil.
they shud withdraw them frm Nigeria now if they like
ReplyDeleteWarning! Warning!! Warning!!! Pls men of wisdom assist me as a matter of urgency. Oh! We shld take care with certain globalizatn issues & collaboration. Dia are serious external influence & efforts on developing nations to disintegrate & instigate crises alike to weaken dem 4 anoda planned logical & gradual invading & slavery. Who provide weapons, sell & distribute same to all manners of groups? Wen dey 1st used military to achieved al dey want and wen dey found out again dat military as spread out is given dem hard time dat is y the gradual shift to the imposing democracy again according to dia dictates. World politics, do we tink dat the developed will neva allow the developing to develop? 4 radical change & striking shake 4 Africa & to we Nigerians to take the lead & beta save our nation is to 1st send foreigners packing 4 a limited time 4 us to critically luk 4 way forward & any half cas will not be part of the caucus decision. Thereafter dat we can then allow any foreigner according to clear terms & conditions subjected to renewal with time to us.
ReplyDeleteInternally, Ce hw we only claimed to be religious, moral, decent, discipline, educated, learned & civilized, if we are not clearly deceiving ourselves, I challenge Nigerians in particular & the world in general dat if we are not worshippers of devil & demons then we shld prove it wrong & completely ban & with hard laws on jst some of this evil things inimical to our society causing societal menace such as hard drugs (Indian hemp, cocaine etc), hard alcoholism along the varying energy drinks & it associates etc. & capital punishment on corruption & remove impunity. Do we know hw deadly is corruption & its attendant problems? Corruption is a silent killer, fast in killing many lives in silent & an economy. Or is dia any religion or any moral value or education in support of it? Yet we acclaim to one religion or the other to ourselves or we easily said we are moral, educated, discipline & all sort. Are we been jst to ourselves? Dis the root of our problems & we shld stop round abouting it. See hw we are wronging ourselves. If it continue as it dominate & we fail or presume to get it, is den a clear indications of clear devil & demons worshipping & of all our claims dat head any society towards a critical danger zone. The reality is that no gain, no gud but jst an illusion of a mere mirage if the right thing is not done, we still be waking each time & meet reality waiting. An aggregation of the whole made the world scientists, engineers & technologists as all “other smart ways” failed to resort for making an “alternative earth” the mars habitable, have we still make a headway or has it been achieved or we already in the mars planet? & wait, we are waiting…