27 May 2017 | 07:15 PM UTC
Nigeria: Increased security for democracy day celebrations May 29
Democracy day celebrations in Abuja on May 29 ; security tightened, transportation disruptions expected
Event
Democracy day celebrations are scheduled to take place on Monday, May 29 in Abuja, and the Nigerian government has announced increased security measures will be put in place throughout the city. An increased number of security personnel will be deployed, and traffic patrols will be put in place. Democracy day is a public holiday in Nigeria, and will be the second of Muhammad Buhari's presidency.
Transportation disruptions are expected throughout Abuja.
Context
Democracy Day is an annual public holiday held on May 29, commemorates the establishment of democracy in Nigeria, when then president Olusegun Obasanjo took office in May 1999, ending multiple decades of military rule that began in 1966.
Advice
Travelers are advised to avoid gatherings. Traffic disruptions and increased security measures are to be expected in the vicinity of the events.
On a separate note, the security environment in Nigeria is complex and is particularly concerning in the northeast and extreme south of the country due to the presence of armed groups, high crime rates, and the risk of kidnapping. Some Western governments consequently advise against travel to certain areas of the northeast (e.g. states of Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, and Jigawa as well as parts of Kano and Adamawa states) and the southern Niger Delta region (e.g. states of Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers). Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel to these areas.
