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Prince Harry and Meghan's visit to Nigeria – the world's 12th most dangerous country – has raised eyebrows after Harry questioned his own own security in the UK.
Official advice from the UK government is to avoid 'all but essential travel' to parts of Nigeria which has a murder rate of 34 per 100,000 people (the UK Is just over one) and is prone to kidnappings.
Although the capital Abuja where Meghan and Harry flew into is deemed relatively safe, the military base at Kaduna in northwest Nigeria on the itinerary, is seen as a hot 'red zone' – and comparatively far more dangerous than London.
Even locals have been advised to avoid the main highway linking Abuja to Kaduna which has been dubbed 'kidnap alley' after a spate of abductions earlier this year and is in parts ruled by armed bandits.
Ken Wharfe, former royal protection officer the late Princess of Wales visited Nigeria in the early 90s with her and now King Charles.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline Mr Wharfe laid bare the hypocrisy of Harry who deemed Britain unsafe but was happy to travel to Nigeria.
He said: 'I went to Nigeria with Harry's mother and father and it was pretty lawless back then and so you do have to question why he has gone there if he says the safety of his wife and children is uppermost.
For their 72 hours 'private trip' Harry and Meghan have their own four-man security team which they have paid for themselves, and they have also been given unprecedented security by Nigeria
Although the capital Abuja where Meghan and Harry flew into is deemed relatively safe, the military base at Kaduna in northwest Nigeria on the itinerary, is seen as a hot 'red zone'
Official advice from the UK government is to avoid 'all but essential travel' to Nigeria which has a murder rate of 34 per 100,000 people
Prince Harry and Meghan visit the Lightway Academy, a primary and secondary school in Abuja, Nigeria
Ken Wharfe is visible between William and Diana in the background as the future King attends his first official engagement on St David's Day in 1991
With Britain not providing Prince Harry with public-funded security protection he has to employ his own private security team. Pictured: Harry
Prince Harry was pictured with the same security detail in Nigeria
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, leaves the High Court in London, on March 27, 2023
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'Outriders, machine guns on trucks and armed guards all sounds pretty dramatic and if there is that level of security you have to suppose the risk is very high which again raises the question of why go.
'If the situation deems that level of protection, then you do have to ask why he is there and for him to say he feels unsafe in London when he has all that security in London does leave you asking does it make sense to go.
'He's going to a high-risk country and I'm sure he will be looked after but he is a high level target and one that would certainly in the feather of anyone looking to make him a dramatic
