The United States of America (USA) government has cautioned its citizens against travelling to Nigeria in view of incessant insecurity situation in the largest black nation in the world
Penpushing reports that the warning was issued by a travel advisory, on its platform, MyTravelGov, being managed by the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, expressing concern on the worsening security situation.
The travel advisory pointed out and identified some high-risk zones in the country, where kidnapping for ransom, terrorism and other security threats are recurrent, which include: Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara states due to kidnapping, Coastal areas of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers states.
“Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and maritime crime. Some areas have increased risk.Do Not Travel to: Borno, Yobe, and northern Adamawa states due to terrorism and kidnapping Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara states due to kidnapping, Coastal areas of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt) due to crime, kidnapping, and maritime crime,” the government advised.
Penpushing further reports that, American government emphasised that violent crime such as armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking, banditry, and rape is common throughout Nigeria.
“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’, the advisory stated.
“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. Violence can flare up between communities of farmers and herders in rural areas.”
Penpushing also reports that, the advisory acknowledged the United States of America(USA) government’s limited ability to provide emergency services to its. citizens in many areas of Nigeria due to security conditions.
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