Nigerians express sadness over the suspension of operations at the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria.
The suspension likely stems from the fire incident on Monday at the commission, resulting in the tragic death of two individuals.
The Canadian High Commission, late on Monday night, announced a temporary suspension of operations through its “X” handle.
The announcement implies a temporary halt to visa and immigration services for those intending to visit or move to Canada.
Additionally, there are currently no services provided for Canadians in Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Sao Tome and Principe.
As per the embassy’s statement, it states, “The High Commission of Canada to Nigeria, in Abuja, has temporarily suspended operations until further notice.”
On Monday, the Government of Canada issued a travel advisory, urging its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Nigeria, including Abuja.
This caution is due to the unpredictable security situation, with significant risks of terrorism, crime, inter-communal clashes, armed attacks, and kidnappings nationwide.
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The travel advisory coincided with a similar warning from the United States to Americans in Nigeria issued a few days earlier.
Canada advised against travel to Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Plateau, Kogi, Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Yobe, and the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, and Rivers.
Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers, is included in this caution against non-essential travel, citing risks of terrorism, armed attacks, kidnapping, and inter-communal and sectarian violence.
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