Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, has been removed from the list of cities likely to be hit by terror attacks, as the United Kingdom yesterday, lifted the ‘Amber’ alert placed on the FCT.
The UK, in a new travel advisory, removed the Federal Capital Territory from the list of cities its citizens should not visit.
The advisory issued, by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO, however warned UK citizens against visiting 22 states in Nigeria.
Recall that the United Kingdom and the United States warned their nationals against travelling to Abuja over a possible terror attack in the nation’s capital.
It warned its citizens against travelling to Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, Abia, Plateau, Taraba, Kebbi Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers states.
It also advised against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina, and, Zamfara states, among others.
The advisory reads in part, “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,” the United Kingdom stated.