…Says “Abuja now relatively safe”
The United Kingdom (UK) says it no longer advises against travel to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Nigeria.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) disclosed this in an updated travel advisory published on its website yesterday.
Recall that the UK on October 23 warned of an increased threat of terrorist attack in the FCT, and urged its citizens to stay alert and avoid visits to public places in the federal capital.
The UK also restricted access to the British High Commission in Abuja. Days later, it warned British nationals to avoid non-essential travel to Abuja. The development came amid alerts also issued by the US and Canada on threats of attacks in Nigeria.
Following the pronouncement, the Federal Government had criticised the United States (US), UK and Canada for issuing the terror alerts without informing local authorities.
In the updated alert yesterday, the UK, however, said the risks on travelling to Abuja still remain.
The update reads in part: “The FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to the Federal Capital Territory, including the city of Abuja; but risks remain; attacks have taken place around religious and public holidays, in public or crowded places, including places of worship as well as during election periods”.
