UK Declares 21 Nigerian States Unsafe…Says Only FCT Safe For Citizens

The United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has declared 21 Nigeria states unsafe for its citizen.

This declaration was contained in a publication on its website, advising citizens not to visit any of the states as terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Nigeria.

Specifically, the FCO advised against all travels to Borno; Yobe; Adamawa; Gombe; and the riverine areas of Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states

“There’s a high threat of kidnap throughout Nigeria. Kidnaps can be motivated by criminality or terrorism, and could be carried out for financial or political gain.

“The security environment in the north-east has deteriorated since 2018 and there is a heightened risk of kidnap. Kidnaps in the north-east have included humanitarian and private sector workers. There are also reports that Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) are continuing to actively plan to kidnap foreigners.

“There is also a high threat of criminal kidnap in the Niger Delta region and Kogi state.”

Recall that thirteen persons were reportedly killed during fresh attacks in Ardo-Kola and Donga Local Government Areas of jalingo on Monday night.

The FCO further said that besides Abuja, other major towns and cities remain particularly at risk, including Kano and Kaduna.

In the past weeks, there have been several reports of insecurity in the country, more recent being the killing of a soldier and two operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) by militants during a shootout on Sunday in Rivers State.

Prior to these, 34 persons were reportedly killed in an attack in Tungar Kafau and Gidan Wawa communities in Shinkafi Local Government Areas of Zamfara state.

Just yesterday (Tuesday), the son of the immediate former health minister Isaac Adewole was kidnapped by four unknown gunmen in Iroko, Fiditi, Afijio local government of Oyo

Reacting to the UK Government’s declaration, a former Minister of Aviation, Fani-Kayode, tweeted: “Finally this is what it has come to. Buhari and his supporters should clap for themselves!”