Insecurity: US Warns Citizens Not To Travel To Nigeria

By Tosin Olatokunbo

The United States of America, USA has issued a warning to its citizens to reconsider travelling to Nigeria, urging those already here to avoid some states in the country which it regarded as flashpoints for crimes and violence. The warning was contained in a directory issued by the US Embassy in the country and seen by the magazine. The directory also contained a warning by  the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC which has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Nigeria due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The Embassy named states such as Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Bauchi as states to be avoided at all cost due to the spate of terrorism and kidnapping. Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara states were also among the states the US said have become too dangerous to travel to. The President Joe Biden government also warned its citizens not to travel to Coastal areas such as Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt) due to crime, kidnapping, and maritime crime

According to the directory “Violent crime – such as armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage taking, banditry, and rape – is common throughout the country.  Kidnappings for ransom occur frequently, often targeting dual national citizens who have returned to Nigeria for a visit, as well as U.S. citizens with perceived wealth.  Kidnapping gangs have also stopped victims on interstate roads.

“Terrorists continue plotting and carrying out attacks in Nigeria, especially in the Northeast.  Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting shopping centers, malls, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants, bars, schools, government installations, transportation hubs, and other places where crowds gather.  Terrorists are known to work with local gangs to expand their reach.

“There is civil unrest and low-level armed militancy in parts of Southern Nigeria, especially in the Niger Delta region.  Armed criminality, including kidnapping and maritime crime, is also pervasive in this region.”

The US government also warned that frequent clashes between farmers and herders can endanger the lives its citizens, noting that ‘the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Nigeria due to security conditions.”