Two days after the United States Deputy Treasury Secretary, Wally Adeyemo, visited Nigeria as part of U.S. efforts to strengthen economic ties between both countries, the U.S. government has warned its citizens to reconsider travelling to Nigeria due to increased risk of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed gangs in the country.
The travel advisory, which carpets 18 states in all, excludes Lagos, 17 other states and the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT).
An updated travel advisory issued on September 20 by the U.S. Department of State included a flat ‘Do not travel’ warning for Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and Adamawa States due to terrorism and kidnapping; Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states due to kidnapping.
A similar travel advisory was issued for Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt) due to crime, kidnapping, and armed gangs.
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 read in part.
The State Department had last issued a travel advisory on August 2 to Niger Republic, which is same Level 4 – ‘Do Not Travel’ warning, owing to the July 26 coup which deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, placing him on house arrest, a situation that led to the immediate evacuation of non-emergency government employees from the country.
