The United States government in a travel advisory has warned its citizens against traveling to Nigeria, citing unavailability of healthcare services, increased spate of kidnapping, terrorism, and armed gangs, among other crimes.
In the advisory which is part of security review and guide for its citizens planning to travel to Africa, the US flagged 11 other African countries, including Somalia, Libya, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Burundi, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, and Chad, in its global travel advisory warning.
In a statement by US Mission in Nigeria posted on its website, the advisory categorised countries into four levels, with Level Four “Do Not Travel” being the most severe, and Level Three “Reconsider Travel” indicating serious risk.
The statement said, while citizens may still travel to Nigeria, it designated 18 states as the most severe and advised its citizens to avoid those states completely.
It advised its citizens to avoid Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa states due to terrorism and kidnapping; Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states due to kidnapping; and Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states due to crime, kidnapping, and armed gangs.
“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,” the statement partly read.
