By Akinwale Kasali

For the umpteenth time in less than a month, the United Kingdom has warned its citizens to avoid Travelling to 22 States out of the 36 In the country.

The UK High Commission warned its citizens to avoid the following States; Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, Abia, Plateau, Taraba, Kebbi, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers State and Borno.

Others are; According to the high commission, the purpose of the travel update is to help its nationals make better-informed decisions about international travel and plan for a trouble-free trip.
The statement read, “FCDO travel advice exists to inform British nationals so they can make decisions about travelling abroad. There continues to be a number of states in Nigeria where we advise British Nationals against all but essential travel. These include: Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, Abia, Plateau, Taraba, within 20km of the border with Niger in Kebbi State and non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States.

“We also advise against all travel to: Borno State, Yobe State, Adamawa State, Gombe State, Kaduna State, Katsina State, Zamfara state, and the riverine areas of Delta State, Bayelsa State, Rivers State, Akwa Ibom State and Cross River State.

This is connected to the spate of insecurity ravaging the country, as the UK Government exempted the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, from the list, but cautioned its citizens to be on alert.

In a Press Release by the UK High Commission in Abuja, the nation’s Capital, on Monday titled, “Updated Foreign Commonwealth Development Office Travel Advice to British Nationals Traveling to the FCT.”

According to the high commission, the purpose of the travel update is to help its nationals make better-informed decisions about international travel and plan for a trouble-free trip.

The statement read, “FCDO travel advice exists to inform British nationals so they can make decisions about travelling abroad. There continues to be a number of states in Nigeria where we advise British Nationals against all but essential travel. These include: Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, Abia, Plateau, Taraba, within 20km of the border with Niger in Kebbi State and non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States.

“We also advise against all travel to: Borno State, Yobe State, Adamawa State, Gombe State, Kaduna State, Katsina State, Zamfara state, and the riverine areas of Delta State, Bayelsa State, Rivers State, Akwa Ibom State and Cross River State.

The UK keeps its travel advice under regular review and in making these assessments, and uses information from a wide range of sources. The travel advice is constantly reviewed to make sure it reflects the current situation in Abuja and Nigeria. Although, the FCDO Travel Advice no longer advises against all but essential travel to the Federal Capital Territory, including the city of Abuja, it makes clear that some risks remain.”

It would be recalled that few weeks ago, the UK High Commission and its Ambassador, Catriona Laing alerted its citizens that there is possible attack in Abuja, forcing the Federal Government to order Security Agencies to further beef up security in the nation capital.