The United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has relaxed travel restriction to four Nigerian states that are among the least-affected by Boko Haram terror.
This was disclosed in a travel advice made available to CAJ News in Abuja on Tuesday. The states affected by this change are Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara and Akwa Ibom.
States and areas such as Kogi, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Katsina, Jos City, Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State, Bayelsa and Rivers State and Abia State within 20km of the border with Niger in Sokoto are now under “essential travel.” Of these, Kaduna and Plateau suffered massive damage to lives and property after the militant Islamic sect carried out attacks.
All travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa State, Bauchi, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano city, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River States and within 20km of the border with Niger in Zamfara State are still under serious restriction.
The travel advisory added that most attacks occur in the north east, particularly in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe States.
“There have also been significant attacks in Kano, Kaduna, Jos, Bauchi, Abuja and Gombe. Further attacks could occur anywhere. Major urban centres remain particularly at risk, including Bauchi, Kano and Kaduna, and Abuja as the Federal Capital,” the new travel alert read.
FCO advise that the level of consular assistance available to British nationals in areas to which the FCO advise against all or all but essential travel was limited.
The Office advised British nationals to avoid public places where crowds gather, including religious gatherings and insecure public spaces like markets and transport hubs and fuel stations with long queues.
“Attacks have taken place around religious and public holidays in public or crowded places, including places of worship. You should be particularly vigilant during these periods. Avoid affected areas in the immediate aftermath of any attack.”