The Delta State Government said that the inclusion of Delta state by the British authorities as one of 12 states with a high risk of Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria an error.
In a media report, the UK Commonwealth and Development Commission had issued a warning to her citizens against travelling to 12 Nigerian states, including Delta.
The states named by the UK as red zones for possibile attacks by Boko Haram include Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina, Rivers, Yobe, and Zamfara.
Reacting to the development, the Delta State Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu explained that the state is peaceful and safe, as he highlighted the visit of the British High Commissioner, who he said visited some communities ‘without armoured tanks’.
Aniagwu, who spoke to journalists in Asaba, the state capital, on Monday, advised citizens and the International community to disregard the information by the British authorities, as he maintained that the state is conducive and open to investors, work and leisure seekers.
According to him, “We were taken aback when the British Commission mentioned Delta among 11 other states in Nigeria where Boko Haram could attack people. I believe Delta was included in that list in error because last month, the British High Commissioner was here in Delta and even visited some communities without armoured tanks.
“Delta is very safe, peaceful and conducive for business, work and leisure.
“In the past six and half years, the present administration has embarked on policies and programmes to sustain peace, and that is why a lot of investments have come into the state.
“It is only in Delta we have nightlife, and that is because of the high level of security.
“So we want to encourage the British authorities and other foreign nationals to continue to see Delta as a destination for business, leisure and other human endeavours. We are asking the global community to discountenance that advisory,” he affirmed.
