US, Taiwan & Canada Warns Citizens Against Travelling To Nigeria + Edo State Government Replies US

Following increased terrorist attacks in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria, the United States, Canadian and Taiwanese governments have warned their nationals against non-essential travel to Nigeria.

According to Punch,

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Nigeria, particularly during the holiday season, and continues to recommend that U.S. citizens avoid all but essential travel to the following states because of the risk of kidnappings, robberies, and other armed attacks – Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Plateau, Gombe, Yobe, Kaduna, Bauchi, Borno, and Kano states.

The Department also warns against travel to the Gulf of Guinea because of the threat of piracy. Based on safety and security risk assessments, the Embassy has placed further restrictions for travel by US officials to all Northern Nigerian states (in addition to those listed above); officials must receive advance clearance by the US Mission for travel as being mission-essential.

US citizens should be aware that, in light of the continuing violence, extremists may expand their operations beyond Northern Nigeria to the country’s middle and Southern states. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning for Nigeria dated June 21, 2012.

The Edo State government in a swift reaction, faulted the US action, insisting that the state is safe. A statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Julius Ihonvbere states,

“ Our attention has been drawn to a travel advisory issued by the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the United States Department of State which listed Edo State as unsafe for visitors during this holiday season. We find it laughable that Edo State is on the list, and this might suggest that the US Department of State is not in tune with events in Nigeria.“While we are unclear on the parameters used by the Department of State, we however make bold to state, and this can be confirmed from the security agencies in the country, that Edo State is the safest in the South-South region of Nigeria and one of the safest in the country.''

What do you think about the warning made by the embassies against non-essential travelling to Nigeria?