CANADA has taken the decision to suspend its operations in Nigeria as authorities investigate a de
vastating explosion that rocked its embassy in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria.
The incident, which occurred on Monday morning, tragically resulted in the loss of at least two lives and caused severe damage to a section of the Canadian embassy in Abuja. While precise details regarding the cause of the explosion remain limited, the government has launched an investigation into the fatal incident.
Melanie Joly, Canada’s Foreign Minister, confirmed the occurrence in a statement on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. She conveyed, ‘the fire is out, and we are working to shed light on what caused the situation.’
The Canadian High Commission in Abuja also acknowledged the incident, revealing that they have temporarily suspended operations following the deadly explosion that affected a part of the commission’s premises.
This suspension of
operations at the Canadian embassy in Nigeria will inevitably impact various services, including consular assistance and visa processing for Nigerian citizens intending to travel to Canada.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, in response to the tragic event, expressed prayers for ‘the repose of the departed souls and wished all injured persons a rapid and full recovery’ on Monday.
As investigations continue into the tragic explosion, both the Canadian and Nigerian authorities are working to uncover the cause of the incident while dealing with the immediate aftermath of the explosion’s impact on consular services for those seeking to engage with Canada from Nigeria.
