Nigerians have expressed their concerns as the Canadian embassy in Nigeria has temporarily halted its operations.
This suspension is likely linked to the fire incident that occurred at the embassy on Monday, leading to the tragic loss of two lives.
Late on Monday night, the Canadian High Commission, through its official channel, announced the temporary suspension of its services.
This includes the pause in providing visa and immigration services for individuals intending to travel to or relocate to Canada.
Additionally, there are no available services for Canadians visiting and residing in Nigeria, as well as for Canadians in Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome and Principe.
The statement by the embassy read, “The High Commission of Canada to #Nigeria, in #Abuja, has temporarily suspended operations until further notice.”
Meanwhile, the Government of Canada, on Monday, issued a travel advisory via its website, warning its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Nigeria, including in Abuja, “due to the unpredictable security situation throughout the country and the significant risk of terrorism, crime, inter-communal clashes, armed attacks and kidnappings.”
The travel advisory came a few days after the United States issued a similar warning to Americans in Nigeria.
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, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers “with the exception of Rivers’ capital city, Port Harcourt, where we advise against non-essential travel, due to the risk of terrorism, armed attacks, kidnapping, inter-communal and sectarian violence.”
When reached by phone, an official from the Canadian High Commission, Demilade Kosemani, declined the call and did not reply to a text message sent to his mobile number by journalists.
Numerous X users, particularly those who had expressed intentions to travel to Canada, expressed their dismay over this situation.
@Tonia_seph on X said, “Please o, we that are still planning (to travel)… God abeg.” @brightmorgan09 said, “Can someone confirm this news? I’m in the process of moving over there (Canada).”
“That’s a big problem for people that want to japa,” says @ify_ndubesti in a tweet.
On his part, @youngskidmusic said Canada was the only country youths were benefiting from.
“That’s the only country we are benefiting from as Nigeria youths. UK & Canada. God (please) make their embassy (not) shake.” the tweep said.
@Timiglow said things had fallen apart. “I heard the Canadian embassy already suspended their operations in Nigeria till further notice. Can you please confirm it? Things fall apart,” the tweep posted.
A Facebook user, MAZI TT, posted, “Canada (has) suspended visa processing for Nigeria following the fire outbreak at the embassy till further notice! (Please) pray because if Canada bursts (it is finished).”
@owolabiclassic on X partly said, “Nigerians planning to ‘Japa’ to Canada may need to have a rethink as the country’s High Commission has shut down its operations in Abuja.”
@elijahh53 wrote on X, “Canada is where we Nigerians benefit.””They don’t want us youth to be traveling again! And it’s possible,” @ELEYDON1 also wrote on X.
