The Australian government has advised its citizens against travelling to 26 states in Nigeria due to worsening security conditions marked by terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime and civil unrest.
The government published the latest travel advisory on its Smartraveller platform managed by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Foreign Affair Department maintains travel advisories on Smartraveller for over 175 destinations, assigning an overall advice level to each.
According to the advisory, Australia urged travellers to reconsider any need to visit Nigeria, noting that the overall security situation across the country remains volatile and unpredictable.
“We continue to advise reconsider your need to travel to Nigeria due to the threat of terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime and the risk of civil unrest. Higher levels apply in some areas.
“There’s a high risk of terrorist attacks across Nigeria. Always be alert to threats, especially in public places. Avoid public demonstrations, rallies and gatherings. These can occur at short notice and may turn violent.
“Reconsider your need to travel to Nigeria overall, including the capital Abuja, due to the volatile security situation and threat of terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime and the risk of civil unrest,” the advisory read.
The government specifically warned against travel to “Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara states and the Federal Capital Territory (excluding Abuja) due to the volatile security situation and threat of terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime and the risk of civil unrest.”
The Australian government further warned that there is a high risk of terrorist attacks nationwide, with potential targets including public places such as markets, hotels, transport hubs, places of worship and government facilities.
The threat of kidnapping remains severe, with foreigners previously targeted for ransom.
Australian authorities also warned that civil unrest, demonstrations and strikes can erupt with little notice and may turn violent..See More