The United Kingdom says it no longer advises its citizens against all but non-essential visits to Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja over security concerns.
In its latest advisory, the UK, however, warned its citizens against travelling to 22 states in Nigeria over insecurity issues.
This was announced by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) in a statement published on its website on Monday, November 7, 2022.
Back in October, the UK government warned of an increased threat of terrorist attacks in the Federal Capital Territory, after which it restricted access to the British High Commission in Abuja.
Latest advisory has now toned down the threat level in Abuja, saying it is no longer advising its citizens against visiting the city. It added though that some risks still remains.
In the latest statement titled “Updated Foreign Commonwealth Development Office Travel Advice to British Nationals Traveling to the FCT,” the UK said the warning is to help its nationals make better-informed decisions about international travel and plan for a trouble-free trip.
The statement read, “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.”
The UK advised its citizens to monitor the latest updates and stay in contact with their travel provider.
