THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: The
Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks
of travel to Nigeria, and continues to recommend
that U.S. citizens avoid all but essential travel to the
following states because of the risk of kidnappings,
robberies, and other armed attacks: Bayelsa, Delta,
Plateau, Gombe, Yobe, Bauchi, Borno, and Kano
states. The Department also warns against travel to
the Gulf of Guinea because of the threat of piracy.
(Please also see the Crime Section below.) Based on
safety and security risk assessments, travel by U.S.
officials to all northern Nigerian states (in addition to
those listed above) must receive advance clearance
from the U.S. Mission as mission-essential. In light of
the continuing violence, extremists may expand their
operations beyond northern Nigeria to other areas of
Nigeria.
In 2012, an extremist group based in northeast
Nigeria known as Boko Haram claimed responsibility
for many attacks, mainly in northern Nigeria. Boko
Haram members have killed or wounded thousands
of people during the past three years. Multiple
Suicide Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices
(SVBIED) targeted churches, government
installations, educational institutions, and
entertainment venues in Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno,
Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, Taraba, and Yobe
states. In December 2011, the President of Nigeria
declared a state of emergency in 15 local
government areas in the states of Borno, Niger,
Plateau, and Yobe. This State of Emergency remains
in effect, although with modification in some areas.
According to the Government of Nigeria, the
declaration of a state of emergency gives the
government sweeping powers to search and arrest
without warrants. Several states in the north are
under various curfews, which change frequently. All
U.S. citizens should remain aware of current
situations including curfews, travel restrictions, and
states of emergency in the areas they are in or plan
to visit. This information is commonly announced via
the news media, but at times it can change with very
little notice. Please take the time to find out this
information for your area.
Beginning in September 2012, extremists attacked
cellular telephone towers in Northern Nigeria,
damaging over 50 towers and degrading cellular
telephone and internet communications nationwide.
Additional attacks could further weaken the ability of
citizens to communicate through cellular telephones
and the internet. Land line telephone
communications in Nigeria remain extremely limited.
U.S. citizens should attempt to arrange for multiple
means of communication in case of need during
emergencies.
Kidnappings remain a security concern. In February
2013, extremists kidnapped seven foreign nationals
kidnapped in Bauchi state and killed them the
following month. Extremists also abducted another
seven foreign nationals in northern Cameroon in
February and reportedly moved them to northern
Nigeria. In 2012, six foreign nationals, including
three U.S. citizens, were kidnapped in Kwara, Imo,
Enugu, Delta, Rivers, and Kano states. Criminals or
militants have abducted foreign nationals, including
U.S. citizens from offshore and land-based oil
facilities, residential compounds, and public
roadways. To date, sixteen foreign nationals have
died in connection with these abductions, including
three killed by their captors during military-led raids.
Local authorities and expatriate businesses operating
in Nigeria assert that the number of kidnapping
incidents throughout Nigeria remains underreported.
Travel by foreigners to conflict areas without prior
consultation and coordination with local security
authorities is not recommended, as the Nigerian
government may see this activity as inappropriate
and potentially illegal, and may detain violators.
Journalists, film-makers, and other professionals
involved in the creation of news or information
products require special accreditation from the
Nigerian Ministry of Information for all film and
media activities in the Niger Delta prior to entering
the area. This special accreditation is in addition to
the general press accreditation and valid Nigerian
visa required to conduct such activities elsewhere in
Nigeria.
Moreover, foreign visitors may not take photographs
or videotape any government buildings, airports, or
bridges. Individuals may be questioned, detained, or
arrested when near these sensitive sites without
evidence of permission from the Nigerian
government, or for carrying electronic equipment
such as cameras, recorders, etc.
Periodically, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria restricts
travel by U.S. officials and Mission personnel to
certain parts of Nigeria based on changing security
conditions, often due to terrorist attacks, crime,
general strikes, security threats, student and political
demonstrations, or inter-religious communal
violence. Jos, the capital of Plateau State, and its
environs have seen several outbreaks of violence in
the past two years. The potential for future flare-ups
remains. Nigeria held national elections April 2011.
Although the elections themselves remained largely
peaceful, violence temporarily erupted in many
northern states after the announcement of results in
the presidential race.
Stay up to date by:
Bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website,
which contains the current Travel Warnings and
Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
Following us on Foursquare, Twitter, and the Bureau
of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.
Following us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular
Affairs page on Facebook as well. Downloading our
free SMART Traveler App, available through iTunes
and the Android Marketplace, to have travel
information at your fingertips.
Calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United
States and Canada, or a regular toll line,
1-202-501-4444, from other countries.
Taking some time before travel to consider your
personal security. Here are some useful tips for
traveling safely abroad.
Back to Top
CRIME: Violent crimes committed by individual
criminals and gangs, as well as by some persons
wearing police and military uniforms, occur
throughout the country, especially at night. Visitors
and residents have experienced armed muggings,
assaults, burglaries, car-jackings, rapes, kidnappings,
and extortions, often involving violence. Home
invasions remain a serious threat, with armed
robbers accessing even guarded compounds by
scaling perimeter walls; following or tailgating
residents or visitors arriving by car into a compound;
or subduing guards to gain entry into homes or
apartments. Armed robbers in Lagos also access
waterfront compounds by boat. U.S. citizens, as well
as Nigerians and other expatriates, have become
victims of armed robbery at banks, grocery stores,
and on airport roads during both daylight and
evening hours. Law enforcement authorities usually
respond slowly or not at all, and provide little or no
investigative support to victims. U.S. citizens, other
expatriates, and Nigerians have experienced
harassment and shakedowns at checkpoints and
during encounters with Nigerian law enforcement
officials. Traveling outside of major cities after dark is
not recommended due to crime and road safety
concerns. Piracy continues off the coast of Nigeria in
the Gulf of Guinea, with armed gangs boarding
commercial and private vessels to rob travelers. The
Nigerian Navy has limited capacity to respond to
criminal acts at sea.
Nigerian-operated fraud schemes, known locally as
"419" scams, are noted for their cleverness and
ingenuity. These scams target foreigners worldwide,
posing risks of financial loss and personal danger to
their victims. Scams are often initiated through
internet postings or from internet cafes by
unsolicited emails, faxes, and letters, or can involve
credit card use. As anywhere else, no one should
provide personal or financial information to unknown
parties or via Nigerian telephone lines. The expansion
of bilateral law enforcement cooperation has resulted
in numerous raids on commercial fraud premises and
the limited return of some assets to fraud victims.
New types of even more sophisticated scams seem to
appear almost daily.
U.S. citizens frequently become victims of Nigerian
confidence artists offering companionship through
internet dating web sites and social networks. These
confidence artists almost always pose as U.S. citizens
visiting or living in Nigeria who unexpectedly
experience a medical, legal, financial, or other type of
“emergency” requiring immediate financial
assistance. We strongly urge you to be very cautious
about sending money to any unknown person or
traveling to Nigeria to meet someone with whom
your sole communications have occurred via the
internet and telephone. Other common scams
involve a promise of an inheritance windfall, work
contracts in Nigeria, or an overpayment for goods
purchased on-line. For additional information on
these types of scams, see the Department of State's
publication, International Financial Scams.
Commercial scams that target foreigners, including
many U.S. citizens, are common. You should remain
alert regarding scams that may involve you in illegal
activity that could result in arrest, extortion, or bodily
harm. These scams generally involve phony offers of
money transfers, lucrative sales, contracts with
promises of large commissions or up-front payments.
They may improperly invoke the authority of one or
more ministries or offices of the Nigerian government
and may cite, by name, the involvement of a Nigerian
government or a U.S. Embassy official. In some
scams, criminals use government stationery and
seals to advance the scam. The ability of U.S.
consular officers to extricate U.S. citizens from
unlawful business deals or scams and their
subsequent consequences is extremely limited. U.S.
citizens have been arrested by police officials and
held for varying periods on charges of involvement in
illegal business activity or scams. Nigerian police and
other law enforcement officials do not always inform
the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General immediately
of the arrest or detention of U.S. citizens.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has published
advisories for the U.S. business community on a
variety of issues that should be seriously reviewed
with respect to doing business in Nigeria. To check
on a business’ legitimacy within the United States,
contact the Nigeria Desk Officer at the International
Trade Administration, Room 3317, U.S. Department
of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230, telephone:
1-800-USA-TRADE or (202) 482-5149, fax: (202)
482-5198. If you are abroad, contact the nearest U.S.
embassy or consulate.
In many countries around the world, counterfeit and
pirated goods are widely available. You will find these
products for sale on the streets, in local shops, and in
market places. Transactions involving such products
may be illegal under local law. In addition, carrying
them back to the United States may result in
forfeitures and/or fines.


travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_987.html

Dem lie?

NA THEM SABI

How many Americans have ever posted a thread on what the Nigerian embassy website says about America?

The inferiority complex of some people on this site is really disgusting. Spit.

Nigeria is suddenly becoming a place where even unbornbabies are scared to be born.

They hv not exaggerated anything here. Simply truths.

The onus is nigerians for a change of this reputation.

sometimes, truth is bitter. have they said anythng wrong?....hmmm, no! i dnt thnk so.

And the Boston bombing took place in Nigeria ?

Obviously it's the truth

Who needs US Citizens anyway, Chinese are better business partners.

At least we don't have serial killers here.
Any stressed out american is a potential terrorist.
We have heard cases of massacres of kids.

yawns*....I am sleepy....boring!


e consyn me wetin dem think? who needs an american? who needs clones? me needs chinese business men..me needs foreign investors! America is none!