Canada, Australia, Ireland Raise Fresh Alarm Over Potential Terrorist Attacks In Abuja

Canada, Australia, and Ireland have issued fresh travel advisories, warning their citizens living in Nigeria about the possibility of terrorist attacks in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Canada, Australia, Ireland’s Travel Advisories On Nigeria

This comes barely 72 hours after the United States and the United Kingdom warned their citizens against traveling to some places in Nigeria, alleging that terrorists were plotting an attack in Abuja.

On Wednesday, the three countries released memos on their respective websites, listing Abuja and surrounding areas as places prone to high threats of terrorist attack and kidnapping.

Canada said, “There is an increased threat of terrorist attack in Abuja. Attacks by terrorist groups may occur in other large cities like Lagos.”

Australia urged its nationals to reconsider their plans to travel to Nigeria “overall due to high threats of terrorist attack and kidnapping, the volatile security situation, possible violent civil unrest and high levels of violent crime.”

“We now advise do not travel to Abuja due to the very high threat of terrorist attacks. If you’re in Abuja, avoid all travel, stay alert and follow local news and the advice of security authorities,” the memo said.

Meanwhile, the Irish government urged all its citizens in Abuja to register their presence with the Embassy of Ireland.

“There is an increased threat of a terrorist attack in Abuja. Targets could include Government buildings, shopping malls, hotels, bars, large gatherings, international organizations, transport facilities, schools, markets, places of worship and law enforcement institutions, among others.

“Citizens are advised to review their personal security situation, stay alert, and avoid gatherings and all non-essential movement within the city,” Ireland warned.

On Wednesday, the US authorized relocating its government employees and their families from Abuja, warning that government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, bars, and hotels, could soon be attacked.

Although the security advisory had been dismissed by Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, the Department of State Security (DSS) in collaboration with the US Army arrested two suspected terrorists with explosives during a raid at the Trademore Estate in Abuja.