Britain
advised its citizens on Wednesday against travelling to several regions in
northern Nigeria, after an increase in attacks blamed on Islamist militants and
the abduction of several foreigners earlier this month, Reuters reports.
advised its citizens on Wednesday against travelling to several regions in
northern Nigeria, after an increase in attacks blamed on Islamist militants and
the abduction of several foreigners earlier this month, Reuters reports.
Gunmen
killed a security guard and abducted a Briton, an Italian, a Greek and four
Lebanese workers after storming the compound of Lebanese construction firm
Setraco in Bauchi State on February 16.
killed a security guard and abducted a Briton, an Italian, a Greek and four
Lebanese workers after storming the compound of Lebanese construction firm
Setraco in Bauchi State on February 16.
It was
the worst case of foreigners being kidnapped in the mostly northern part of
Nigeria since an insurgency by Boko Haram intensified two years ago.
the worst case of foreigners being kidnapped in the mostly northern part of
Nigeria since an insurgency by Boko Haram intensified two years ago.
Britain
upped its travel risk ratings on Wednesday, advising against any travel to
Bauchi State and Okene in Kogi State where militants last month attacked Nigerian
troops who were bound for Mali to counter an Islamist insurgency.
upped its travel risk ratings on Wednesday, advising against any travel to
Bauchi State and Okene in Kogi State where militants last month attacked Nigerian
troops who were bound for Mali to counter an Islamist insurgency.
It also
advised against ” all-but-essential travel” to Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa and Katsina
States, a statement from the foreign office said.
advised against ” all-but-essential travel” to Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa and Katsina
States, a statement from the foreign office said.
Attacks
by Islamist groups in northern Nigeria have become the biggest threat to
stability in the country.
by Islamist groups in northern Nigeria have become the biggest threat to
stability in the country.
Western
governments are concerned the militants may link up with groups elsewhere in
the region, including al Qaeda’s North African wing AQIM, especially given the
conflict in nearby Mali.
governments are concerned the militants may link up with groups elsewhere in
the region, including al Qaeda’s North African wing AQIM, especially given the
conflict in nearby Mali.
France
sent troops to Mali last month to help oust Islamist rebels.
sent troops to Mali last month to help oust Islamist rebels.
Islamist
group Ansaru claimed responsibility for the Setraco raid in Bauchi and the
Okene attack.
group Ansaru claimed responsibility for the Setraco raid in Bauchi and the
Okene attack.
The
Setraco raid was “based on the transgression and atrocities done to the
religion of Allah by the European countries in many places such as Afghanistan
and Mali,” said the group, which has kidnapped other foreigners in Nigeria in
the past.
Setraco raid was “based on the transgression and atrocities done to the
religion of Allah by the European countries in many places such as Afghanistan
and Mali,” said the group, which has kidnapped other foreigners in Nigeria in
the past.
Source: PMNews
