Barely 72 hours after the US and UK said terrorists were plotting to strike in Abuja, the Australian and Canadian authorities have also issued travel advisories to its citizens residing in the nation’s capital.
The Australian government in its security alert advised its citizens to reconsider the need to travel to Nigeria. It added that Abuja and surrounding areas are at risk of terrorist attacks, kidnappings violent civil unrest and crime.
According to the statement, the potential for terrorism, kidnapping, crime and civil unrest remains high throughout Nigeria. If, despite our advice, you undertake travel within Nigeria, research routes and get professional security advice and support before departing.”
Including in Abuja, due to the unpredictable security situation throughout the country and the significant risk of terrorism, crime, inter-communal clashes, armed attacks and kidnappings.”
Meanwhile, the federal government on Wednesday said that it cannot be stampeded by whatever any government tells its citizens to do.
This came on the heels of the latest travel advisory by US State Department for their citizens to reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and maritime crime.
Recall that the US and the United Kindom and now, Australia, and Canada had recently released travel advisories for their citizens over the alleged plot by the terrorists to attack some designated areas in Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.
The Minister of Information and Communication, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said despite the attempts by terrorists to embarrass government, security agencies have in the last few months taken firm control of the situation.
The minister, who spoke against the background of previous assurances he had given, said citizens and non-citizens alike are safe in Nigeria.
He said: “Now, of course, this so-called travel advisory as far as we’re concerned, as a government we have in the last few months, taken a firm handle of security.
“What I said is that click-baiting, which is, you find a story which is not verified and you immediately share it, always causes panic.
“But I want to reassure both citizens, non-Nigerians, Nigerians living in this country, that security agencies are on top of this matter.
“Of course, the terrorists would not stop to try to embarrass or intimidate government but what I’m saying is that this country is safe. And there’s no cause for alarm. No cause to panic.
“Unfortunately, because of that travel advisory on Sunday many schools were closed, shops were closed, and travel plans were disrupted, we don’t need it. The security – our soldiers, our police are working round the clock to contain any terrorist attack. This is where we stand.”