Not less than 12 States in Nigeria have been blacklisted as dangerous zones to go by the citizens of United Kingdom. This information was coming on the heels of scorching insecurity that is threatening the affairs of the country.
To say the nation is groaning under the heavyweight of killing and kidnapping is an understatement. Just on Monday, it was reported that bandits killed scores of traders at a popular market in Sokoto while the unknown gunmen were said to have invaded a police division in Eboyin State, setting the station ablaze and freeing several detainees.
This has been the regular story that constantly makes the news headlines in the country. Apparently worried by this development, the Government of the United Kingdom issued a strict warning to its citizens either in Nigeria or visiting the country to steer clear of some states that are ravaged by the teething problem of insecurity.
According to the reports which was published on Vanguard News, the warning was released by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO, in a travel advisory for its nationals over the weekend.
In the report, the office maintained that there is a high possibility of Boko Haram, Bandits and other form of insurgents troubling Nigeria to kidnap foreigners who visit those states that are marked as dangerous zones.
They believe that insurgents in Nigeria kidnap foreigners and humanitarian workers either for financial, ideological or political reasons. And once any foreigner is kidnapped, they won’t be released until they are forced to pay a heavy ransom.
States listed as dangerous zone for visiting include Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Kanduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers.
Not only this, foreigners in Nigeria were also advised to be careful as Youths in the country are reportedly warming up to mark the first anniversary of the Endsaars protest across the country.
The spate of insecurity is really a worrisome scenario in the country and the situation appears to have gone beyond what can be handled by a mere government efforts.
If the blacklisting of these 12 States out of 36 States is anything to go by, then Nigerians should have every reason to be concerned over the situation.
