The Federal Government has assured residents and foreign nationals of ongoing efforts to improve security across Nigeria, following a fresh travel warning issued by the United Kingdom.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advised against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, and Zamfara states, citing escalating violence, terrorism, and kidnappings.
It also recommended that British nationals avoid all but essential travel to Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, Taraba, and parts of Federal Capital Territory, warning of rising violent crime and potential flashpoints such as protests.
But speaking to The PUNCH on Sunday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, said the government was “keenly aware of security challenges in parts of the country and is making efforts to address them and make every part of the country safe for citizens and foreigners alike.”
The minister added that President Bola Tinubu had recently restructured top security personnel and increased investment in military hardware and intelligence operations.
“Our security challenges will soon be a thing of the past,” he said. “We want to give tacit assurances that we are gradually improving security in our cities and communities. All foreign nationals in Nigeria are guaranteed their safety as the government implements more effective security measures,” Idris said.
However, the Gombe State Government rejected the UK advisory, describing the classification as “unfounded and unfair.”
The Director-General, Press Affairs, Government House Gombe, Ismaila Misilli, said the state remains one of the most peaceful and stable in the country, with no record of insurgency, communal conflict, or banditry in recent years.
“Honestly, this classification of Gombe is unfounded and unfair. We are surprised and disappointed by this classification of our dear state among the unsafe states,” Misilli said.
He added, “Gombe State remains one of the most peaceful in the country. You are aware that the state has consistently been rated by credible organisations and security agencies as one of the most peaceful and stable states in Nigeria.”
According to Misilli, the state government maintains a strong partnership with security agencies to ensure the continued safety of lives and property.
He questioned the basis for the UK advisory, insisting that the state has not witnessed any security threat capable of justifying such a warning.
“We really wonder what indices were used to arrive at this conclusion by the UK government. There have been no cases of insurgency, communal crisis, banditry, or major security incidents in recent years,” Misilli stated.
He urged the public and international partners to disregard the advisory, stressing that Gombe remains safe, peaceful, and open for investment and development.
