Benin — Edo State government has faulted claims by the US state department which listed Edo state as unsafe for visitors during the holiday season.

A statement from the Secretary to the State Government Prof Julius Ihonvbere said "our attention has been drawn to a travel advisory issued by the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the United States Department of State which listed Edo state as unsafe for visitors during this holiday season.

"We find it laughable that Edo state is on the list, and this might suggest that the US department of state is not in tune with events in Nigeria.

"While we are unclear on the parameters used by the department of state, we however make bold to state, and this can be confirmed from the security agencies in the country, that Edo state is the safest in the South-South region of Nigeria and one of the safest in the country."

It said those who come to equity must do so with clean hands saying "if the US department of state could include Edo in its advisory list, then it should also issue a travel warning to citizens of the world to avoid Connecticut where 20 innocent Elementary School Students and six of their teachers were cut down in the confines of their classrooms just two weeks ago."

The statement said "the government of Edo state therefore rejects the travel warning issued by the US department of state and wishes to assure Edo state sons and daughters and other visitors to the state of their safety during their stay."