Prince cancels visit to Nigerian city over concern at security measures

THE PRINCE of Wales’s visit to a Nigerian city has been cancelled after security measures introduced following deadly regional clashes disrupted plans for the trip.

Charles is said to be disappointed not to be travelling to Jos on the last day of his west African tour, when he would have heard first hand about the inter-communal violence between farmers and cattle herders.

The Foreign Office stressed the cancellation on Thursday was not security-related, as the recent clashes would not have prevented the visit, but rather it was the authorities’ security measures, introduced after the violence, which have affected operational arrangements for the trip.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “Due to operational constraints beyond our control, we have decided at this time not

The decision was taken on advice from the Nigerian government. Foreign Office spokeswoman explaining tomorrow’s cancellation.

to include Jos during their royal highnesses’ visit to Nigeria.

“We are delighted to have an exciting programme of activity in Abuja and Lagos which will showcase those issues close to the Prince’s and the Duchess’s hearts.

“The decision was taken upon advice from the Nigerian government and others involved in security and operational aspects of the visit.”

The prince will now spend Thursday in the Nigerian capital of Abjua when he is due to hear about efforts to bring the communities together in Nigeria’s plateau state.

Clashes between the mostly Muslim nomadic cattle herders and Christian farmers, usually over land and grazing rights, have escalated into deadly violence which has killed thousands over the last year.

Earlier the prince, who is on the Ghana-leg of his west African tour, gave a speech where he outlined his continued concerns about the threat of climate change, rapid urbanisation and depletion of resources.

He told his audience that the Commonwealth could play a vital part ensuring that the planet is “not poisoned and polluted and its vitality is not compromised”.

PICTURES: PA WIRE ROYAL TOUR: Clockwise from top, the Prince of Wales helps to plant a tree at the High Commissioner’s Residence in Nigeria; Charles meets Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari at his villa in Abuja; the Duchess of Cornwall arriving at Abuja International Aiport.