Significant security risks’, US warns citizens against planned trips to Nigeria

‘Significant security risks’, US warns citizens against planned trips to Nigeria

The United States government has issued a fresh travel advisory, warning its citizens against visiting Nigeria due to growing security threats.

The advisory cites multiple concerns, including the unavailability of quality healthcare services, terrorism, kidnapping, and the operations of armed gangs across the country.

Issued as part of the U.S. government’s routine global security review, the advisory categorises Nigeria as a high-risk destination for American travellers.

In addition to Nigeria, 11 other African nations were also flagged, including Somalia, Libya, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Burundi, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, and Chad.

Countries in the advisory are grouped into four tiers, with Level 4 indicating “do not travel” and Level 3 urging citizens to “reconsider travel” due to elevated dangers.

In a statement released through its mission in Nigeria and posted on its official website, the U.S. government emphasised that all parts of Nigeria pose “significant security risks.”

While not imposing a total ban on travel to Nigeria, the U.S. warned that specific regions should be completely avoided due to extreme insecurity.

Eighteen Nigerian states were listed as highly dangerous, with Americans advised to avoid them under all circumstances.

The U.S. highlighted Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa states as major hotspots for terrorism and kidnapping.

Other states, such as Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara, were flagged primarily for rampant kidnapping.

Additionally, the advisory discouraged travel to Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (excluding Port Harcourt) due to increased rates of violent crime and the presence of armed groups.

The U.S. government has urged its citizens who must travel to Nigeria to exercise extreme caution, register their presence with the embassy, and keep emergency contact details readily available at all times.

The statement read: “Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed gangs, and inconsistent availability of health care services. Some places in Nigeria have an increased risk. Overall, all locations carry significant security risks.

“Violent crime is common in the country. This includes armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking, roadside banditry, and rape.

“Kidnappings for ransom happen often. They primarily target dual national citizens visiting Nigeria and U.S. citizens perceived as wealthy. Kidnapping gangs have also stopped victims on interstate roads.

“There is a risk of terrorist violence in Nigeria. This includes terrorist attacks and other activities.

“Terrorists continue plotting and carrying out attacks in Nigeria. Terrorists collaborate with local gangs to expand their reach. They may attack with little or no warning, including: shopping centres and malls, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants and bars, schools, government buildings, transportation hubs, and public places where crowds gather.

“Gangs and crime: Civil unrest and armed gangs are active in parts of Southern Nigeria. This is especially true in the Niger Delta and Southeast regions. Armed crime and gangs are common in the area. Crimes include kidnapping and assaults on Nigerian security services.

“Violence can flare up between communities of farmers and herders in rural areas.

“U.S. citizens should not expect the same level of health care to be available in Nigeria as they do in the United States. Nigerian medical facilities are generally not equipped to U.S. or European standards. Many medicines are not available. This includes common medications for diabetes or asthma.

“Bring enough over-the-counter and prescription medicines to last your entire stay in Nigeria. Update vaccinations to include all standard vaccinations, plus yellow fever, meningitis, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and a polio booster.”

“All visitors should take Malaria prophylaxis. Nigeria is at high risk for Malaria. Counterfeit pharmaceuticals are a common problem. Hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Most hospitals and doctors do not accept U.S. health insurance.

“Emergency services like those in the United States or Europe do not exist.

“Blood supply is often unreliable. Ambulance services are unreliable, have poor equipment, and often do not have trained paramedics.

“We strongly recommend getting traveller’s insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before travelling.”