Nigerian military authorities have cautioned foreigners to thread softly as they flock the north-eastern part of the country where emergency rule is in place without security clearance.
The Defence Headquarters Sunday said it has noted the presence of a large number of tourists, journalists and adventurers of diverse interests moving about in areas where security operations are currently ongoing especially in Adamawa and Borno States.
The trend, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, said constitutes unnecessary risk to the persons especially the foreigners involved, even as it also constitutes an undue obstruction to operations.
Olukolade states further, “Much as the military has nothing to hide and believes in the freedom of movement in the country, the need for all persons to recognize the status of certain places as operational area is hereby reiterated.
“Anyone violating the existing procedures for coverage or movement in the mission area does so at his or her own peril as the security forces should not be held responsible for any unsavory outcome of such movement.
“Necessary arrangement will continue to be made for the protection of persons and visitors whose movement is duly vetted and in line with development in the security situation on ground in particular mission area.
“The general public is hereby informed that obstructive, suspicious or risky movement of visitors will not be condoned in any mission and operational area in the country”.
