Following reports by the United States and the United Kingdom that there is an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, Canada and Australia have warned their citizens to stay alert.
The US Embassy on Sunday issued a security advisory on the elevated risk of terror attacks in Abuja, the Nigerian capital.
According to the warning, the attack would be especially aimed at government buildings, places of worship, schools and other centres where large crowds gather.
The United Kingdom government also warned its citizens in Nigeria to stay alert due to an “increased threat of terrorist attack in Abuja.”
“Attacks could be indiscriminate and could affect western interests, as well as places visited by tourists,” it said.
Canada in a fresh travel advisory urged its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Nigeria, including in Abuja, due to the unpredictable security situation throughout the country.
“Avoid all travel to the following regions due to the risk of terrorism, armed attacks, kidnapping, intercommunal and sectarian violence,” the advisory read.
“The north-western states of Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara. The north-central state of Plateau. The north-eastern states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa and Yobe. The Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers (with the exception of Rivers’ capital city, Port Harcourt, where we advise against non-essential travel)
“Exercise a high degree of caution in the cities of Calabar and Lagos due to the incidence of crime.”
The Australian government also warned its citizens that there is an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, especially in Abuja.
“We now advise do not travel to Abuja due to the very high threat of terrorist attacks. If you’re in Abuja, avoid all travel, stay alert and follow local news and the advice of security authorities,” the government said.
“Reconsider your need to travel to Nigeria overall due to high threats of terrorist attack and kidnapping, the volatile security situation, possible violent civil unrest and high levels of violent crime. Higher levels apply.”
