The United Kingdom (UK) government has rescinded the security alert issued by the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria regarding increased threats to major hotels in the country’s larger cities and potential risks during off-cycle governorship elections. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office removed the warning in its updated travel advisory for its citizens in Nigeria on Wednesday.
The UK government’s decision follows its collaboration with the U.S. government to revise its travel advisory, initially cautioning its citizens about potential terrorist attacks in certain hotels, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Previously, the UK government had advised its citizens to avoid traveling to 12 states in Nigeria due to heightened insecurity. These states include Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River.
The U.S. had issued an alert regarding “elevated threats” to major hotels in Nigeria’s “larger cities.” The emergency advisory, dated November 3, recommended vigilance and urged Americans to stay alert in major hotels, maintain a low profile, and review the travel advisory for Nigeria before checking into any hotels.
“The U.S. Government is aware of credible information indicating an elevated threat to major hotels in Nigeria’s larger cities,” the advisory stated. “Nigerian security services are working diligently to counter this threat.”
The advisory also provided contact details for the U.S. embassy in Abuja and the consulate in Lagos in case U.S. citizens required assistance.
