The Australian government has issued a travel warning to its citizens, advising against travelling to Nigeria, citing concerns over terrorism, insecurity, and the volatile security situation within the country.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) highlighted several factors contributing to the advisory. These include widespread terrorism, the threat of kidnapping, the risk of violent crime, and the potential for civil unrest in various regions of Nigeria.
According to the DFAT, terrorist attacks in Nigeria have been escalating, with various militant groups being active throughout the country. These attacks are not only targeted at government institutions and military personnel but also pose a significant risk to foreigners. The department emphasized that foreign nationals could be at risk, with the likelihood of indiscriminate attacks in public spaces such as hotels, bars, restaurants, political meetings, government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, sporting events, and transport hubs.
The Australian government stressed the importance of reconsidering travel plans to Nigeria, advising its citizens to stay away from high-risk areas. Specifically, the DFAT warned against traveling to Adamawa, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, Cross Rivers, Delta, Federal Capital Territory (excluding Abuja), Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara states. These regions are considered to have a higher level of danger due to terrorist activity, violent crime, and the risk of kidnapping or civil unrest.
The advisory from DFAT underlined that while the capital city, Abuja, is relatively safer, there is still a significant risk of terrorism and unrest, urging citizens to reconsider the need for travel to Nigeria as a whole.
