Australia warn citizens against travelling to Nigeria

The Australian High Commission has issued an advisory warning its citizen against travelling to Nigeria.

The advisory was issued on the consulate’s official website on Wednesday, urging its citizens to reconsider the need to travel to some parts of Nigeria including Abuja, the country’s capital.

The consulate listed the recent flood disasters, terrorism, kidnapping, crime, and other issues in the country as part of the reasons its citizens should reconsider travelling to Nigeria.

“Reconsider your need to travel to Nigeria overall, including the capital Abuja and surrounding areas, due to high threats of terrorist attack and kidnapping, the volatile security situation, possible violent civil unrest, and high levels of violent crime,” it said.

“Do not travel to Adamawa, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, Cross Rivers, Delta, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara states.”

It also noted that essential services may have been disrupted due to the recent casualties and widespread damage to infrastructure caused by severe flooding in Nigeria.

The Australian consulate, however, urged its citizens to get professional security advice and support if they must travel to a high-risk area in Nigeria.

“We strongly recommend you don’t use road transport between urban centres. Don’t use ridesharing services, taxis, or public transport due to safety issues and the risk of crime. Travelling in an armoured motor vehicle is the safest transport option,” the commission said.