Nigerians have voiced their distress over the temporary suspension of operations at the Canadian embassy in Nigeria, a move believed to be related to a recent fire incident that claimed two lives at the commission. The Canadian High Commission announced the suspension via its official channels, affecting visa and immigration services for those planning to visit or immigrate to Canada.
Additionally, Canadians living in Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Sao Tome and Principe will not have access to embassy services during this period. The embassy released a statement that read, “The High Commission of Canada to #Nigeria, in #Abuja, has temporarily suspended operations until further notice.”
This development coincides with a travel advisory issued by the Government of Canada, warning its citizens to refrain from non-essential travel to Nigeria, particularly in Abuja, due to the unpredictable security situation and significant risks of terrorism, crime, armed attacks, and kidnappings throughout the country. This advisory follows a similar warning from the United States to its citizens in Nigeria.
The travel advisory specifies regions of high risk, including Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Plateau, Kogi, Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Yobe, and Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, and Rivers. Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers state, is also cautioned against non-essential travel due to the risk of terrorism, armed attacks, kidnapping, inter-communal, and sectarian violence.
While many Nigerians lamented the embassy’s suspension of services, especially those planning to travel to Canada, the situation highlights the growing concern over security issues in the region. The uncertainty surrounding the resumption of the embassy’s operations adds to the challenges faced by those seeking Canadian visas and services.