Akwa Ibom state government has faulted the UK government for the
travel ban issued on its citizens tagging the state along with 20
others in Nigeria as unsafe in Nigeria.
In a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Dr.
Emmanuel Ekuwem, the state stressed that Akwa Ibom remain one of the
most peaceful, safe and secure States in Nigeria.
The letter addressed to the British High Commissioner in Nigeria, said
it was incontrovertible and unvarnished fact that Akwa Ibom is one of
the most peaceful states in the country.
Recently, the UK government had warned its citizens not to travel to
21 states in Nigeria because of kidnappings, terrorism, militancy, and
diseases.
In a statement posted on its website, the UK’s Foreign and
Commonwealth Office said frequent attacks by the terrorist sect, Boko
Haram, in the restive north-eastern region of Nigeria, raids by armed
bandits in the northwest and north-central states, kidnappings across
Nigeria, fatal diseases like Ebola and Lassa fever and militancy in
the south-south, have made Nigeria a dangerous destination for the
rest of the world.
Alluding to a statement by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the
6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamil Sarham, during a
courtesy call on Governor Udom Emmanuel in October last year, the SSG
said the GOC had rated it as the most peaceful and violence-free of
all the areas under his command.
“A similar sentiment was also expressed by Rear Admiral Apochi
Suleiman, the Commander of the Joint Task Force in the Niger-Delta
region. The US Ambassador, W. Stuart Symington had visited Akwa Ibom
State on two occasions within the last one and a half years. No
Ambassador would visit a State that is considered unsafe.
“During the recently concluded Presidential/National Assembly,
Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections, in spite of the threat
and boasts of the people on the opposite side of the political divide
to unleash violence, the elections were adjudged peaceful, credible
and free.
“The Commissioner of Police in charge of the elections in Akwa Ibom
State, Ibrahim Kaoje in his report of the elections to the Deputy
Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Department of
Operations stated that the elections in the State were conducted under
the freest, credible and most peaceful atmosphere.
“The Emir of Kano, His Highness, Muhammadu Sanusi 11 during a courtesy
visit to the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, also commended the
peace and security citizens enjoy in the State,” it said.
In the letter, the SSG said that the state had been receiving droves
of investors from all parts of the world into the state for the
purposes of investing their ‘peaceful, safe and secure environment.
The SSG stressed that all the above would not have been possible if
the state is not safe, peaceful and secure.
“Finally, we wish to state emphatically and unequivocally that Akwa
Ibom State is peaceful, safe and secure and remains an inviting
location for foreign investors, and other Nigerians who daily troop to
the State to enjoy our famed cuisines and the hospitality of our
people,” it read.
