The Australian government has advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Nigeria with immediate effect.This was contained in a travel advisory issued to Australians on the consulate’s website.
It reads: “There have been significant casualties and widespread damage to infrastructure caused by severe flooding. Essential services may be disrupted. Follow the advice of local authorities and check the media for updates.
“The potential for terrorism, kidnapping, crime and civil unrest remains high throughout Nigeria.”
The consulate further alerted its citizens to research routes and get professional security advice and support before departing to Nigeria if there’s any need to be there.
The Australian consulate also listed the States in the country they specifically want their citizens to avoid, including Abuja and its surrounding areas due to terrorist attacks and kidnapping threats.
“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.
“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 added.
The Australian government gave further tips on what to do if their nationals found themselves in the aforementioned states.
The government advised that its citizens should consider leaving immediately or get professional security advice as their travel policy might be void.
