Canadian high commission in Abuja suspends all its operations following fire outbreak

CANADA'S high commission in Nigeria has suspended all of its operations indefinitely in response to a fire outbreak at its mission in Abuja on Monday which resulted in the death of two persons.

Following the incident, the high commission, via its X handle, announced a temporary suspension of its operations. This means a suspension of visa and immigration services for all persons seeking to visit or emigrate to Canada.

Also, suspended are services to Canadians visiting and living in Nigeria and to Canadians in Equatorial Guinea, as well as those in Sao Tome and Principe. Meanwhile, the government of Canada has also issued a travel advisory notice via its website, warning its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Nigeria, including in Abuja.

A mission statement read: “The high commission of Canada to Nigeria, in Abuja has temporarily suspended operations until further notice. Meanwhile, we are also warning all our citizens against non-essential travel to Nigeria due to the unpredictable security situation throughout the country and the significant risk of terrorism, crime, inter-communal clashes, armed attacks and kidnappings.”

This travel advice came just a few days after the US issued a similar warning to Americans in Nigeria. Both warnings came as a surprise as of late, there has been no escalation of violence in Nigeria and if anything, terrorist activities are on the wane.

Canada warned its citizens to avoid Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Plateau, Kogi, Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Yobe and the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom in particular. It also advised them to avoid Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers states with the exception of Rivers’ capital Port Harcourt.

Many Nigerians who are planning to travel to Canada, lamented the closure of the high commission, particularly as it is the only Western country currently encouraging emigration. Several took to X to express their frustration with the development, saying it threatened their japa plans.