UK issues travel advisory, says there’s high threat of kidnap throughout Nigeria

…says security in North-East worsened in 2018

The United Kingdom has said there is a high threat of kidnap
throughout Nigeria.

It also warned its nationals against travelling to the
North-East, citing that the security environment in the region
deteriorated in 2018.

Except it is really essential, the UK cautioned its citizens
against travelling to Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina and Kano states,
among others.

In its foreign travel advice as of December 24, 2018, the
British government also observed that protests were becoming
increasingly frequent in Abuja as the presidential election in
February 2019 approaches.

It predicted that terrorists were very likely to carry out
attacks, especially in the North-East, where most attacks had
occurred in the country.

“The Islamic Movement in Nigeria continues to protest in central
Abuja, which have been held daily since January 7, 2018. While
protests are usually peaceful, they have the potential to turn
violent,” the UK government said.

“Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in
Nigeria. Most attacks occur in the North-East, particularly in
Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe states.”

The UK also asked its nationals – 117,000 of whom visit Nigeria
every year – to avoid places of worship, shopping malls, hotels,
camps for displaced people, among others.

It added, “There’s a high threat of kidnap throughout Nigeria.
Kidnap 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 in
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 the Islamic State
West Africa (a faction of the sect) are continuing to actively plan
to kidnap foreigners.”

The Presidency had yet to respond to our correspondent’s request
for comments, as calls to Mr Garba Shehu, the Senior Special
Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari,
were not picked.

A text message sent to his phone had also yet to be replied to
as of the time of publishing this report.

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