BY DAYO ADESULU
Bothered by the insecurity and rise in COVID-19 cases in Nigeria, the United States of America has told its citizens not to travel to certain places in northern and southern Nigeria.
This caution for its citizens is conspicuously displayed by travel advisory on its website.
The publication reads: ”Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to COVID-19. Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and maritime crime. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
”Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.
”The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Nigeria due to COVID-19.
”Nigeria has lifted stay at home orders and resumed some transportation options and business operations. Visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Nigeria.
”Do Not Travel to:
- Borno and Yobe States and Northern Adamawa State due to terrorism
- Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, and Yobe states due to kidnapping
- Coastal areas of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt) due to crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, and maritime crime.
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”Country Summary: Violent crime – such as armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, and rape – is common throughout the country. Exercise extreme caution throughout the country due to the threat of indiscriminate violence.
”Terrorists continue plotting and carrying out attacks in Nigeria, especially in the Northeast. 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.
”Sporadic violence occurs between communities of farmers and herders in rural areas.
”There is a 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.
Read the country information page.
”If you decide to travel to Nigeria:
- See the U.S. Embassy’s web page regarding COVID-19.
- Visit the CDC’s webpage on Travel and COVID-19.
- Carry proper identification, including a U.S. passport with a current Nigerian visa if needed.
- Exercise caution when walking or driving at night.
- Review travel routes and times to vary your predictability.
- Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
- Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
- Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
- Monitor local media for breaking events, and be prepared to adjust your plans.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners.
- Avoid demonstrations and large political gatherings.
- Review your personal security plans.
- Enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
- Review the Crime and Safety Reports for Nigeria.
- U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
”Borno and Yobe states and Northern Adamawa State – Do Not Travel
”Terrorist groups based in the Northeast target churches, schools, mosques, government installations, educational institutions, and entertainment venues. Approximately two million Nigerians have been displaced as a result of the violence in Northeast Nigeria.
”Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
”Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, and Yobe states – Do Not Travel
”The security situation in Northwest and Northeast Nigeria is fluid and unpredictable, particularly in the states listed above due to widespread inter-communal violence and kidnapping.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
”Coastal areas of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt) – Do Not Travel
”Crime is rampant throughout Southern Nigeria, and there is a heightened risk of kidnapping and maritime crime, along with violent civil unrest and attacks against expatriate oil workers and facilities.”