The United States of America and two other countries, have warned their citizens not to travel to some states in Nigeria.
This is in view of the planned closure of the Abuja Airport, which will see flights diverted to the Kaduna Airport from March 8.
The Department of State of the United States on its website, www.travel.state.gov, advised Americans against traveling to Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kano, and Yobe states “because the security situation in the North remains fluid and unpredictable.”
Relatively, the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office on www.gov.uk, also warned its citizens not to travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe states.
Also, Canadians have been warned by their government on www.travel.gc.cam not to travel to Borno, Adamawa, Kaduna, Bauchi and others “due to the high risk of terrorism, inter-communal violence and kidnapping.”
Only Lagos, Abuja and Calabar are listed as safe cities in Nigeria.
The Australian Government has likewise issued a “Do not travel” warning to its citizens, as published on www.smarttraveller.gov.au.
“The alternative airport which will be used during the repairs, Kaduna airport, is located approximately 200 kilometres north of Abuja in a ‘Do not travel’ area.
“We strongly advise you to defer non-essential travel to and from Abuja during the shutdown.
“We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Nigeria due to the high threat of terrorist attack, the high threat of kidnapping, the unpredictable security situation, the possibility of violent civil unrest and the high level of violent crime,” it said.
Should United win on Sunday, Mourinho will match Sir Alex Ferguson and Brian Clough by claiming the League Cup for a fourth time as a manager, and he said he agreed with Ferguson’s belief that any trophy will mean a positive year.
“I don’t think that’s changed,” Mourinho said. “It’s so difficult to win trophies in England and in some countries it’s really easy when you are in the right clubs.”
Asked if the chance to match the record mark added any pressure, Mourinho said: “I’m not nervous. I’ve had many years in football, many finals — I want to play. I want to win, I want to feel responsibility, big responsibility — that’s all.
“I’ll go for dinner with all my assistants. We’re in a positive way, we’re together and we start now being together and focused on the game. It’s not one more game, it’s always a special match.”
