The UK has downgraded a warning to its citizens against travel to the Nigerian capital, Abuja. Britain, the US, Canada, and Australia had last month issued separate advisories to their citizens against all but essential travels to the city and its surrounding areas over fears of possible terror attacks. The US had gone further to order the evacuation of its diplomatic staff members.
The travel warnings prompted a strong response from the Nigerian authorities who described the alerts as ''unnecessary'' and ''irresponsible''. On Monday, the UK High Commission in Nigeria said the travel advisory to British citizens for Abuja has been changed from "Amber'' to ''Green.'' In a statement, it said the UK government ''no longer advises against all but essential travel'' to the city but that ‘'some risks remain’.’
It added that the warning against all travel to seven other states in Nigeria remains unchanged. Nigeria is facing multiple security problems including violence by armed extremist groups and kidnappings for ransom by criminal gangs. Other Western countries have yet to announce reviews of their earlier travel warnings to their citizens.
