In advance of the 2023 election, the US Embassy in Nigeria has issued a travel warning to its people.
It was noted in the travel warning alert titled “Reissued with updates to staffing and do not travel zones” that owing to security circumstances, it may be difficult to deliver emergency services to US residents in various parts of Nigeria.
Also, it was mentioned that dual nationals who had returned to Nigeria were frequently the targets of violent crime.
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“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. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting shopping centres, 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. The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Nigeria due to security conditions.”
Americans were also warned against travelling to “Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa states due to terrorism and kidnapping, stressing that they should avoid “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”