U.S. Government Issues Travel Warning For Nigeria Due to Increased Risks.
By Caroline Ameh
The United States government has issued a travel advisory warning to its citizens to reconsider traveling to Nigeria due to elevated risks of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed gangs in the country.
This advisory comes in the wake of recent developments, including a visit by U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary, Wally Adeyemo, to Nigeria aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
The updated travel advisory, issued on September 20 by the U.S. Department of State, includes a “do not travel” warning for several Nigerian states, including Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and Adamawa, due to the prevalence of terrorism and kidnapping. Additionally, states such as Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara have been flagged for kidnapping concerns.
Southern Nigerian states, namely Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers (with the exception of Port Harcourt), have also been issued travel advisories due to crime, kidnapping, and armed gangs. These states have been placed in the highest risk category, Level 4.
The advisory underscores that violent crimes, such as armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, and hostage taking, are common throughout Nigeria. Kidnappings for ransom are frequent, targeting both dual national citizens and U.S. citizens perceived as wealthy.
Terrorist attacks are a continuing threat, with terrorists targeting places where crowds gather, including shopping centers, markets, hotels, places of worship, and transportation hubs.
In addition to security concerns, the advisory highlights civil unrest and armed gangs in parts of Southern Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta and Southeast regions. Inter-communal violence and kidnapping remain persistent issues in these areas.
The U.S. Department of State also cautions that the security situation in Nigeria can change rapidly, with widespread terrorist activity, inter-communal violence, and kidnapping incidents occurring without warning.
The travel advisory excludes Lagos and several other states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), indicating that these regions have lower associated risks.
