The Federal Government has advised Nigerian citizens travelling to the United States and Europe to be vigilant in the highbrow areas of cities in the countries. The advisory was said to have been prompted by attacks on Nigerians in London and the stealing of their belongings, including passports.
This is contained in a statement made by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Monday at a news conference in Abuja.
Lai Mohammed warned Nigerian travellers to the countries that they stand the risk of being robbed.
He said, “It has come to the attention of the government that Nigerian travellers to the United States and some countries in Europe are having their belongings, especially money and international passports stolen at an increasingly high rate.
“The most recent victims of this are travellers to the UK, most of whom were dispossessed of their belongings at high-brow shops, particularly in the high street of Oxford.
“We have therefore decided to advise Nigerians travelling to Europe and the United States to take extra precaution to avoid being dispossessed of their belongings.”
The minister added; “This is not your typical travel advisory. Issuing such is the prerogative of our embassies/high commissions as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is merely a piece of advice to Nigerians who may be visiting the affected parts of the world.”
In October, the US Embassy issued an advisory to American citizens on the elevated risk of terror attacks in Abuja, the Nigerian capital.
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According to the warning, the attack would be especially aimed at government buildings, places of worship, schools and other centres where large crowds gather.
The United Kingdom government also warned its citizens in Nigeria to stay alert due to an “increased threat of terrorist attack in Abuja.”
