Canada investigates embassy explosion in Nigeria, issues travel alert

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The North American country says it is investigating an explosion that occurred at the Canada High Commission in Abuja.

Canada has also issued a travel warning to Nigeria, joining the United States and the United Kingdom.

On Monday, the High Commission was witness to a fire that killed two people and injured two more.

Shortly after the incident, the Canadian Foreign Minister, Melanie Joly, issued a terse statement on X, mourning the victims of the explosion.

“We can confirm there was an explosion at our High Commission in Nigeria. The fire is out and we are working to shed light on what caused this situation. I send my heartfelt condolences to the families of the 2 people killed in this tragedy,” she said.

 

Also, Canada’s High Commission in Nigeria, said on social media that it had “temporarily suspended operations until further notice”.

However, the Commission was silent on Monday’s explosion, issuing a travel advisory and warning against non-essential travel to Nigeria, including the capital Abuja.

It blamed the decision on “the unpredictable security situation throughout the country and the significant risk of terrorism, crime, inter-communal clashes, armed attacks and kidnappings”.

Earlier, President Bola Tinubu sympathised with the Canadian Government and the victims of the fire incident which occurred at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja.

The President’s sympathy was conveyed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Monday.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sympathises with the Canadian government, the diplomatic community, and all persons affected by a fire incident which occurred on Monday at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja.

“The President assures the Canadian authorities of the full support of the Nigerian government in the aid of diplomatic and local staff of the High Commission who were particularly affected by the incident.

“President Tinubu prays for the repose of the departed souls and wishes all injured persons a rapid and full recovery,” the statement read.