A former head of the royal security has warned that Prince Harry's claim that 25 Taliban fighters were killed raises security risks during his and Meghan Markle's visit to Nigeria. Prince Harry's surprised revelation that he killed 25 Taliban fighters in Afghanistan should heighten security concerns ahead of his trip to Nigeria. A former head of royal security has warned that the Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan Markle will visit Nigeria in May for talks on the Invictus Games.
Harry is expected to make the trip after a mass at St. Paul's Cathedral to mark the 10th anniversary of the games. Nigeria was among the countries that participated in last year's event, while Meghan Markle recently claimed that tests revealed she has 43% Nigerian descent.
D. Davis, the former head of royal security, noted that Harry's claim that 25 people were killed in Afghanistan raised alarm bells from a security perspective. "Just over half of Nigeria's population is Muslim. That concerns me because of what Harry said in his book," he told express.co.uk.
Harry served in Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter gunner in 2012 to 2013 and was deployed on active duty to Helmand province in 2007 to 2008. The Duke of Sussex wrote in his memoir "Spear" that during his two tours with the British army, he found himself absorbed in the heat and confusion of combat and did not think of these 25 as people. "They were chess pieces removed from the board," he continues.
Harry's claim sparked criticism from military figures, royal commentators, and relatives of veterans. Former British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told LBC's Nick Ferrari, "I honestly think that bragging about statistics distorts the fact that the military is a team game. It's a team institution. It's not about who can shoot more."
Mr. Davis told express.co.uk that some parts of Nigeria are very dangerous and pointed to the Global Peace Index's measure of safety, security, conflict, and militarization around the world. It ranks Nigeria 144 out of 163 countries, meaning that only 19 countries in the world are more dangerous.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to several parts of Nigeria. The African country's army has been waging a deadly war against Islamic extremists in the northeast of the country since 2009.
"Threats will come to Harry, especially because of the controversy surrounding the killing of Muslim brothers," said Davis, a former commander of the Metropolitan Police Department. "But the risks factored into the Sussex security team's calculations must also include kidnapping, terrorism, a lone attacker, and concerns about disease," according to Mr. Davis.
"I would have serious concerns unless we are properly prepared with all emergency plans in place. I will look into the circumstances of this visit and make sure it is as safe as possible," Davis said. He added, "I want to know the rationale for this visit to a very dangerous place. I am very supportive of the soldiers. The Invictus Games are great, and I would like to give Prince Harry credit for that, but I want to know why he wants to go to Nigeria. All he can say is it's a safe place."
