A former head of royal security has warned that Prince Harry’s claim that 25 Taliban fighters were killed raised risks to his security during his visit to Nigeria with Meghan Markle. Prince Harry’s surprise revelation that he killed 25 Taliban fighters in Afghanistan is expected to increase 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 travel to Nigeria in May for discussions 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 took part in last year’s event, while Meghan Markle recently claimed tests revealed she was 43% of Nigerian descent.
D. Davis, the former head of royal security, noted that Harry’s claim that 25 people had been killed in Afghanistan had raised alarms from a security perspective. “Just over half of Nigeria’s population is Muslim. That worries me because of what Harry said in his book,” he told express.co.uk.
Harry served in Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter gunner from 2012 to 2013 and was deployed on active duty to Helmand province from 2007 to 2008. The Duke of Sussex wrote in his memoir “Spear” that during Of his two missions with the British Army, he found himself absorbed in the heat and confusion of combat and did not regard 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 misrepresents the fact that the military is a team game. It’s an institution of team. It’s not about who can shoot the most.”
Mr Davis told express.co.uk that some parts of Nigeria are very dangerous and highlighted the Global Peace Index’s measure of safety, security, conflict and militarization around the world. It ranks Nigeria 144th out of 163 countries, meaning only 19 countries in the world are more dangerous.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel to several parts of Nigeria. The army of this African country has been waging a deadly war against Islamist extremists in the northeast of the country since 2009.
“Harry will be under threat, not least because of the controversy surrounding the killing of Muslim brothers,” said Davis, a former Metropolitan Police commander. “But the risks considered in 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 and all contingency plans are in place. I will review the circumstances of this visit and ensure it is as safe as possible,” he said. Davis said. He added: “I want to know the reason 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 in Nigeria all he can say is that it’s a safe place.
