Avoid Anambra, UK warns nationals

Forum 11 months ago

Avoid Anambra, UK warns nationals

The United Kingdom has warned its citizens in Nigeria from travelling to Anambra State.

The warning came two days after an attack on the convoy of United State consulate workers in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state by yet-to-be-identified gunmen on Tuesday.

It would be recalled that the convoy carried nine Nigerian nationals: five employees of the U.S. Mission to Nigeria and four members of the Nigeria Police Force.

They were travelling in advance of a planned visit by U.S. Mission personnel to a U.S.-funded flood response project in Anambra.

Three US consulate officials and four policemen were killed in the incident, while one consulate official is still missing.

The UK issued an advisory on its website on Thursday warning its nationals in Nigeria against travelling to Anambra State.

Apart from Anambra, the advisory also warned against travel to Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Cross River states.

It read, “The FCDO advises against all travel to the riverine areas (i.e. the river and swamp locations accessible by boat, but not by road) of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

“The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Abia State and non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states and now also to Anambra state in the Ogbaru area, close to Delta State.

“This follows an attack on a US diplomatic convoy on May 16, 2023. The incident is under investigation.”

It added, “Secessionist groups are active in the South-East and attacks and violent clashes often occur with the military and other security forces.

“Although foreign nationals are not normally targeted, there is a risk you could be caught in an attack. You should be alert to local government announcements and media reporting.”

Meanwhile, the UK also announced the appointment of Richard Montgomery as the new British High Commissioner to Nigeria.

This was contained in a press release by the British High Commission in Nigeria on Thursday.

According to the release, Montgomery presented his credentials to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the State House in Abuja.

He takes over from Ms Catriona Laing, who recently concluded four years as High Commissioner in Abuja.

To mark his arrival, Montgomery said, “It is great to be back in Nigeria. I look forward to working with the people of this great country, including those in government, in the private sector and in civil society, to do all I can to help build a more prosperous Nigeria and strengthen the partnership between our countries.”

According to the statememt, Montgomery is an experienced diplomat who has worked in different parts of the world including previously in Nigeria. He is married to Naheed and together they have two children.

“He and his wife are looking forward to their second stay in Nigeria,” the statement said.