BREAKING: US warns citizens against travelling to Nigeria over attacks on banks, ATMs, kidnappings

The United States’ government has reissued an updated travel advisory, warning its nationals against travelling to Nigeria, especially some states in the Northern and South-South regions of the country over terrorism, kidnappings, civil unrest and maritime crime.

The updated advisory issued on Monday listed Do Not Travel to areas in Nigeria to include Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and Adamawa states due to terrorism and kidnapping.

Others are; Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Zamfara states due to kidnapping. Also, the advisory warned the US nationals to stay off 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.

“Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and maritime crime. Some areas have increased risk.

“U.S. Embassy Abuja is only able to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Abuja. U.S. Consulate in Lagos is providing all routine and emergency services to U.S. citizens in Nigeria. U.S. citizens in Nigeria who require assistance should contact [email protected] or +234 1 460 3410,” part of the advisory read.  

The US government stated, “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 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. There is frequent maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea.”The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Nigeria due to security conditions.”