TheCable

The UK government has warned its citizens to stay away from crowded places in Nigeria during the Christmas and New Year festivities.

It said there are plans by unnamed insurgent groups to bomb the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In a travel advisory to its citizens, the UK government listed worship places, malls and markets amongst other places that should be avoided.

“The risk of terrorist attack increases around religious festivals, so will be elevated in the run up to and throughout the Christmas and New Year holiday period,” it read.

“Terrorist groups have threatened to conduct bombings and attacks in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) area during this period.

“You should avoid places where crowds gather, including religious gatherings and places of worship, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, transport hubs and camps for displaced people.”

Similarly, the US embassy in Nigeria has asked its citizens to be security conscious and “remain aware of your surroundings”.

The advisory read: “The US Mission urges all US citizens to exercise caution in and around shopping centers, malls, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants, bars, and other places where crowds gather in and around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), from now through the Christmas and New Year’s holiday season.

“Terrorist groups have threatened to conduct bombings and attacks in this area during this period.”