Canada Releases Damning Report On Nigeria, Warns Citizens To Avoid Travelling To Kaduna, Zamfara, Imo, Over 15 Others

The Canadian Government has warned its nationals to avoid non-essential travels to Nigeria or completely avoid travelling to the country at the moment over terrorism, killings, kidnapping and general insecurity.

The country gave the advice in the first part of a long publication on its website, saying, “Avoid non-essential travel to Nigeria due to the unpredictable security situation throughout the country and the significant risk of terrorism, crime, inter-communal clashes, armed attacks and kidnappings.”

In the second part of the publication with the caption “Regional risk level – Avoid all travel,” the Canadian authorities listed states and regions that Canadian citizens must not travel to in Nigeria.

“Avoid all travel to the following regions due to the risk of terrorism, armed attacks, kidnapping, intercommunal and sectarian violence: the north-western states of Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara; the north-central state of Plateau; the north-eastern states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa and Yobe; the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers (with the exception of Rivers’ capital city, Port Harcourt, where we advise against non-essential travel).”

The Canadian authorities which described Nigeria as experiencing all forms and criminalities and atrocities in the long warning publication listed virtually every state and region in Nigeria with their associated crimes and criminalities, while describing the most populous African country as a fraud and crime-infested nation.

The publication further read in detail:

Exercise a high degree of caution in the cities of Abuja, Calabar and Lagos due to the incidence of crime.

There is a threat of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in the following northwestern and northeastern states: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara and Yobe.

Bandit groups are increasingly active in the northwest, including in Kaduna state. Violent attacks involving gunfire and explosives, as well as kidnappings, are frequent. They have targeted: motorists, transportation hubs and networks, local communities.

A state of emergency has been in effect since 2013 in the states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe to account for the increase in incidents of terrorism in the area. Additional security personnel have been deployed to these states. Curfews are also in effect in cities across these states and in Maiduguri. Other curfews could be imposed in other cities in northern Nigeria or could change on short notice.

Local authorities could also interrupt telecommunication services in the northeastern states without notice and for indeterminate periods of time. Neighbouring states could also be affected by these service disruptions.

The states of Plateau and of Taraba are affected by sporadic episodes of inter-communal and sectarian violence. Since early 2022, there has been an increase in violent incidents, including bomb attacks which resulted in a large number of casualties. There has also been an increase in kidnapping cases in Plateau State. Further attacks and kidnappings are likely.

The security situation in the Niger Delta region is fragile and unstable, particularly in the states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers (except in Port Harcourt, where we advise against non-essential travel). Regional and ethnic conflicts between militant groups occur in the area and have led to higher incidents of violent crime and civil unrest. Armed robbery and kidnapping pose a significant threat in the Niger Delta states. Militant activity has also been directed at foreign interests. Armed groups have carried out successful attacks on oil facilities and workers, resulting in injuries and deaths.

If you choose to remain in the Niger Delta states despite this advisory, be extremely vigilant at all times.

If travelling for business, ensure that meetings are held at a secure location and that your contact is known to you.

Seek the advice of local authorities when planning trips and leave a detailed itinerary with family or friends.

Piracy is an ongoing threat in the Niger Delta states. Pirate attacks, armed robbery against ships, ship hijackings, kidnappings and hostage takings occur in coastal waters in the Gulf of Guinea. Mariners should take appropriate precautions. If you are on land, avoid shoreline areas at all times.

Insurgents in speedboats and equipped with high-calibre weapons pose a risk.