The British Government yesterday issued a stern warning to its nationals living in Nigeria against embarking on any trip to the Bakassi Pennisular due to be handed over to Cameroon by Nigeria on Thursday.
UK government also warned its nationals in Nigeria to be wary of militants operating under the platform of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).
In an on-line statement issued yesterday, British government noted that Nigeria and Cameroon have reached an agreement on the future of Bakassi, to be handed from Nigeria to Cameroon on Thursday, August 14, 2008, ”but the area and local feelings remain sensitive”.
The statement said MEND had been threatening to attack British interests in Nigeria .
”We also advise against all travel to the Niger Delta states of Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers (including Port Harcourt) and advise British nationals in these states to leave. This is because of the very high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks in these areas. Since January 2006, 37 British nationals (including two children) and more than 200 other foreign nationals have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta area, with one British national being killed”.
”We advise against all travel to riverine areas of Akwa Ibom State (i.e., the river and swamp locations on or close to the coast accessible only by boat, but not by road). We advise British nationals in these areas to leave. We also advise against all but essential travel to other areas of Akwa Ibom State because of the high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks”.
It further said that ”If, despite this advice, you decide to travel to, or remain in, these areas, you do so at your own risk. There is a curfew in place in the Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State (2200 – 0600). There is a high risk of kidnappings and other armed attacks in the Niger Delta to ships and oil-rigs at sea off the coast of the Delta. Since 2007, there has been an increase in attacks offshore. There is also a risk of kidnapping in other States in South-east Nigeria”.
“Localised outbreaks of civil unrest can occur at short notice. Details and advice are circulated via the British High Commission’s Community Liaison Officers’ network. We strongly advise British nationals staying in Nigeria for three months or more to register with the British High Commission”.
“The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Nigeria in 2007 were for: attempts by scam artists to extract money (over 600 cases); replacing lost and stolen passports (over 160 cases); dealing with deaths, most from natural causes (28 cases); and kidnaps (11 cases). Violent crime is also prevalent in the South of the country, including Lagos”, the statement said.
British authorities also warned its citizens that : “There is a general threat from terrorism in Nigeria. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Nigeria have led to a small number of human fatalities. The last fatality was in 2007. We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check that your insurance company provides personal insurance cover for you in Nigeria, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake”.
Aug122008