The federal government has kicked against the travel advisory issued by the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) to their citizens in Nigeria, claiming it would create unnecessary panic and discourage investment in the country.
The minister for information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Monday at a meeting with media executives and editors in Abuja.
He argued that the government has always prioritised the safety of both citizens and foreigners.
Peoples Gazette had reported that the UK issued an advisory warning its citizens against travelling to Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa ahead of the November 11 gubernatorial elections taking place in the states, following concerns about potential violence in the states during the governorship polls.
The United States had also issued an alert, warning its citizens against the threat of attacks on hotels in the Federal Capital Territory, but assured them that Nigerian security agencies are working to counter the threat.
However, the minister, in his reaction, said, “We understand the concerns raised by the United States government in their recent travel advisory, but believe that it is imperative that we do not generalise isolated incidents across the entire hospitality industry.
“What we have seen is that such advisories do not achieve anything other than needless panic, and they can have severe adverse economic impact, not to talk of what they do to undermine the government’s efforts to attract investment.
“We have consistently prioritised the safety and well-being of all visitors to our country.
“We have implemented comprehensive security measures, both at the federal and state levels, to ensure the safety of tourists and international guests.”
“In various parts of Kaduna State, seven bandits were neutralised in various operations between the 1st and 3rd of November.
“In Kano state, on November 3, a joint operation by troops of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services carried out a dawn raid operation on terrorists’ hideout in Gezawa Local Government Area, successfully averting an imminent attack on Kano by insurgents.
“The operation recovered AK 47 rifles, AK 47 rifle magazines, a Rocket Propelled Gun (RPG), RPG bombs, hand grenades, improvised explosive device (IED)-making materials, among others.
“In Katsina, two NYSC members abducted by bandits were successfully rescued.
“In the north-east and north-west of the country, the Nigerian Air Force has been very busy, with several successful airstrikes on bandits’ and terrorists’ camps and hideouts in Katsina, Zamfara and Borno States,” he noted.
