UK has issued travel advisory to its citizens, warning them against travelling to Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states, in view of the off-cycle elections taking place in the three states on November 11.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Coming on the heels of an earlier alert by the United States (US) to its nationals over hotels in Abuja, the United Kingdom (UK) has issued travel advisory to its citizens, warning them against travelling to Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states, in view of the off-cycle elections taking place in the three states on November 11.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO, in the travel advisory issued on November 4, 2023, also advised against all travels to the states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, and the riverine areas of Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states.
The travel advisory comes amid heightened concerns about the possibility of violence during the upcoming gubernatorial elections.
The warning came after the US issued an alert, warning its citizens against threat of attacks on hotels in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
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‘In past elections, there have been reports of intimidation, violence, and voter fraud. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has expressed its commitment to conducting a free and fair election, but security analysts say that the risk of violence remains high.
The Nigerian government has deployed additional security forces to the three states in an effort to prevent violence.
The government has also urged political parties to refrain from making inflammatory statements and to respect the electoral process.
“They should also avoid large gatherings and crowded public places. Travelers should also register with their nearest embassy or consulate so that they can be contacted in case of an emergency,’’ the advisory read.
The US has issued similar warning to its citizens in Nigeria earlier, claiming “elevated threats” to major hotels in the “larger cities” of the country. The alert was dated November 3.
The advisory acknowledged that the Nigerian security agencies are working to counter the threat, stressing however that the US citizens should exercise vigilance at major hotels, be alert of their surroundings, keep a low profile, and review the travel advisory for Nigeria before checking into any hotels.
The notice read, “The U.S. Government is aware of credible information that there is an elevated threat to major hotels in Nigeria’s larger cities.
“The Nigerian security services are working diligently to counter the threat.
“The U.S. Department of State advises U.S. citizens to consider this information when arranging lodging or visiting major hotels in Nigeria.”
In apparent confirmation of the tension in some of the states holding election this week, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate redeployment of the Imo State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mohammed Barde, to the Force Headquarters in Abuja. Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, announced this on Sunday.
The statement announcing the exercise, said the IGP’s decision to redeploy the Imo CP underscored the police force’s dedication to upholding the rule of law and maintaining strict neutrality throughout the electoral proceedings.