Canadian Embassy in Abuja suspends operations after fire accident

In an unfortunate turn of events, the Canadian Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria, was forced to suspend its operations due to a fire accident. The incident not only posed a significant challenge to the embassy’s functioning but also highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness and the resilience of diplomatic missions in foreign countries.

No staff except security personnel were seen at the high commission
The announcement entailed that no operations towards the High Commission’s provision of visa and immigration services for persons seeking to visit or emigrate to Canada

The Canadian High Commission in Abuja suspended operations on Tuesday after a fire incident at the commission on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no staff except security personnel were seen at the high commission, situated at 13010G, Palm Close, Diplomatic Drive, in the Central Business District of Abuja.

In the aftermath of the fire, the Canadian Embassy had no choice but to suspend its operations temporarily. The extent of the damage and the safety concerns for embassy staff and visitors necessitated this decision. This suspension affects various services the embassy provides to Canadian citizens, visa applicants, and the local community.

The high commission had on its social media handle on X announced a temporary suspension of its operations.

The high commission, via the post, announced a temporary suspension of its operation after a section of the commission in Abuja was gutted by fire.

The announcement entailed no operations towards the High Commission’s provision of visa and immigration services for persons seeking to visit or emigrate to Canada.

The fire accident at the Canadian Embassy in Abuja is a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by diplomatic missions in foreign nations. While the embassy has temporarily suspended its operations, the Canadian government’s response and commitment to its citizens are reassuring. As the investigation progresses and necessary measures are taken, it is hoped that the Canadian Embassy in Abuja will soon resume its operations and continue to provide support to Canadian citizens and visa applicants in Nigeria.

Also, there is no offer of services to Canadians visiting and living in Nigeria or to Canadians in Equatorial Guinea, as well as to Sao Tome and Principe.

Such services include adoption and surrogacy, birth abroad, citizenship services, marriage abroad, passport services, notarial services, studying abroad, and visa and immigration services.

A security operative at the duty post of the commission told NAN that no staff was available at the premises of the high commission, saying, “Come tomorrow, Wednesday, November 8.”

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the incident that occurred at the Canadian High Commission earlier on Monday.

The President’s Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Ajuri Ngelale, communicated the President’s empathy in a statement released on Monday.

The statement reads: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sympathizes with the Canadian government, the diplomatic community, and all persons affected by a fire incident that occurred on Monday at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja.

“The President assures the Canadian authorities of the full support of the Nigerian government in the aid of diplomatic and local staff of the High Commission who were particularly affected by the incident.

“President Tinubu prays for the repose of the departed souls and wishes all injured persons a rapid and full recovery.”