2023: UK, EU, Australia issue security alerts

The United Kingdom and Australia have asked their citizens to avoid travel to Nigeria in the latest security advisories issued on Thursday.

Also, the European Union warned that insecurity might prevent elections from holding in parts of the country, adding that “security climate” was very hostile.

In October last year, the United States, UK, Canada, Germany, and Bulgaria issued terror alerts, warning their citizens in Nigeria to avoid shopping malls, religious centres and hotels which they said could be targeted by terrorists.

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But the Federal Government dismissed the advisories, describing them as false and assured Nigerians to go about their lawful business as the country was safe and secure.

Last December, the Tony Blair Institute disclosed that the elections could be disrupted by Boko Haram, the Indigenous People of Biafra and criminal gangs.

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In an updated travel advisory on Thursday, the Australian government urged its citizens to reconsider or shelve their intending visits to Nigeria.

A statement by the Australian government read “Nigeria is scheduled to hold national and state elections between 25 February and 11 March. The risk of election related violence is high. You should avoid all political gatherings and election related sites in the lead up to, during and after this period.

“Offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission across the country have already been targeted and should be avoided. Politically motivated murders and kidnappings have occurred, and the threat of further incidents remains high.”

For those planning to visit, the government urged them to “Reconsider your need to travel. We have reviewed our travel advice for Nigeria and now advise reconsider your need to travel to Abuja.’’

Corroborating the Australian alert, the UK government also warned that protests might break out during the election.

The UK government said, “Nationwide elections will take place in Nigeria in February 2023, and there is a heightened risk of protests during this period.

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“Political rallies, protests and violent demonstrations can occur with little notice throughout the country. International news events can sometimes trigger anti-Western demonstrations.”

Dismissing the concerns, the Nigeria Police Force said the country is safe, even for the elections, adding that it wasn’t the first time foreign countries would be issuing such alerts to their citizens.

In an interview with newsmen, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said, “Since this is a foreign relations matter, I wouldn’t like to comment on it. However, Nigeria is safe, and this isn’t the first time that foreign countries are giving such alerts to their citizens.”