The Canadian High Commission has temporarily suspended operations in Nigeria after a fire incident at its premises on Monday.
Recall that the fire incident on Monday resulted in the death of two staff. Two others were injured in the blast.
Canadian Foreign Minister, Melanie Joly, who confirmed the incident in a statement, said investigation has commenced into the blast.
“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,” Joly said on X.
The High Commission, in a post on social media site X, said it had “temporarily suspended operations until further notice.”
“An explosion took place in a generator room at the High Commission of Canada to Nigeria in Abuja killing two people, including a locally engaged employee, and injuring two others.
“Global Affairs Canada extends its sympathies to the families of those killed and wishes speedy recovery to those injured.
“We can confirm all other staff at the High Commission are safe and unharmed. We are now ensuring that the site is safe and will work with local authorities in determining the cause of the explosion.
“An investigation will be carried out but at this point everything points to an accident rather than a deliberate act.
“As a result of the incident, the High Commission of Canada in Abuja is closed till further notice. Canadians in need of consular assistance can contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 emergency watch and response center,” it stated.
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The embassy also issued a travel advisory, warning against non-essential travel to Nigeria, including the capital Abuja, “due to the unpredictable security situation throughout the country and the significant risk of terrorism, crime, inter-communal clashes, armed attacks and kidnappings.”
The United States had on Friday, said there was an “elevated threat to major hotels in Nigeria’s larger cities” and warned against travelling to Africa’s most populous nation.
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