I really want to travel to Nigeria this Christmas, but am worried about all the Kidnappings. My family is from Imo State which is where I will be staying the majority of the time if I go. How safe do you think It is in Imo, or how safe will it be this Christmas time? When I ask my cousins about how safe it is, they say I will be fine only politicians and those doing business with oil are targeted, but I've read otherwise on the internet.

hey ada, i am from imo too yes they do kidnapp at least my friends father GOD IS GOOD MOTORS was kdnapped but was freed but the man is dead, BANEX PLAZA was also kidnapped but has been freed, the rate of kidnapping in imo state is high but u do not need to be scared, the Lord is ur strenght. They only kidnap very wealthy pple that can cough out about 10-100million naira. So go to naija notin do u, u can go with mobile policethey are very cheap like 10k for a week, i did that when i traveled. Where u at, canada or usa?

I'm in the US, I was there this summer actually but I hear things have gotten worse, If I would need to get a police escort everywhere, doesn't' that imply that i would not be safe?

the rate of kidnapping is really scary these days, its just like the demon of kidnapping was unleashed on Nigeria this year,

if you think it is unsafe in your hometown, I think you should just stay in the city where there is more security or don't bother coming, its not worth the risk honestly, btw, why do Igbo people have to always go home during Xmas? a lot of things happen but people cant seem to just stay away,

Hmmm, I need a real definitive answer,

@Rebarobyn going home for christmas is not just an Igbo thing. At least here in the US, Christmas is the one time most people travel home to be with their families

I actually meant - why do igbo people go to the village even when their immediate families live in the city centers like lagos? and the reason why I mentioned this is because people are more likely to be kidnapped when they are in areas where there is less security (i.e. the village or small towns).

In any case, the ball is in your court, if you really have to come home and you can afford to hire an escort, please do so for your own safety. but also bear in mind that recently the police force recalled all its officers that were not assigned to core police functions (such as those guarding the houses of civilians, escorts) so I would suggest you make concrete plans before coming. I hope you find this helpful.

@ada, its not as bad, wen u get to the east go and get police men to escort u thats what my pple do. But they will not kidnap you in Jesus name.

I dont get Nigerians who live abroad and think people in Nigeria are in a jungle or something.
You just said you were there this summer koh? So what did you see when you went? Did they kidnapp you? Abi do you own Grima Mohammed Motors? Or what is scaring you?
Dont they kidnapp people on a DAILY basis in the US? Yes police try to find them, but a good 50% are not found, so whats the whole hulabaloo. If you know you wont be safe, then dont come back. But stop acting illetrate.
You 'heard' things are worse. Things ALWAYS get worse in Nigeria, abi havnt you noticed?
Oh and by the way, announcing on the internet that youre from imo state and you live in the US and would be going to nigeria for christmas is not exactly 'wise'. Wake and up and stop acting like a dumb american my friend, youre a nigerian. Behave!

@Rosabelle

Wow, why so harsh my friend? I feel I am asking a legitimate question.
1. There are Millions of people in Imo State, and hundreds going back for Christmas, so me announcing a plan to go to Nigeria on here is harmless, Ada is not my real name.

2. No reason for you to try and belittle me and berate me, I am honestly concerned for my safety and I don't see how you can make a judgment that I think "Nigerians live in the Jungle"

3. I was not originally worried about traveling to Nigeria this Christmas until My father who was born and raised there, as I was neither, insisted that I not make the trip.

4. Though Kidnappings occur in the US, there is a much greater probability that I could get kidnapped in Nigeria. The point of these Kidnappings is to make money, and many Nigerians think money falls from trees in the US. So the simple fact that people know I'm from the US would make me a target. While in Nigeria this summer I attracted a lot of attention anytime I stepped out of our compound(we were in the city not the village). People constantly called me oyibo and asked if was a foreigner with out me even saying one word showing my American accent. (I am not flashy what so ever, but I guess I apparently have a look to me that doesn't look Igbo or maybe "African" for that matter)

5.I know who my parents are and how much land they own and Flats they are building, people are not blind in Nigeria! As stated before I was not originally worried about traveling to Nigeria as my trip this summer was "essentially" safe but a recent influx of kidnappings in Imo state was recently brought to my attention and I would need to make a decision to book my flight within the next week or so,

6. As I do not live in Nigeria, I think it is plausible for me to ask others what they think or KNOW the current situation is like right now, basically I don't know or not if I will be safe. My cousins in Nigeria say I will be fine, some above say the same, some say different, and some have told me I would be risking too much to go back; (Who should I believe) And by asking many people this is what I am trying to discern for myself,

Anyways Thank you everyone for your replies.

@Poster
Im sorry if I sounded harsh. Not my intention.

I dont want you thinking Im dissing you, but I live in switzerland and because my father worked out, we havnt lived in nigeria since I was 11. He was posted all over, but my folks made sure we went to secondary school in nigeria. So Im not ignorant about your worries. Im very aware of them and I know what precautions my father took each time we were going home (even though the kidnapping wasnt on). And I guess its different for me cos Im lagosian (though from Delta).

It just irritates me when I come accross Nigerians who act like theres something special about living in a safe country and not having this same security in nigeria (again no offence meant) when you go home on holidays. Im just like, if you have such doubt, then stay safe and stay away.
Its how it is, bad as that is. Deal with it, or dont go back.

My folks have lived in Italy, canada, austria and now switzerland and the US cant compare in safety to any of these countries. So Im a little impatient with your hesitation.
I dont feel unsafe in Nigeria (maybe its a personal thing) , I feel right at home and welcome. Looking like an african or not has nothing to do with it. After all various people live in nigeria, from white to grey. And though they are cautious, they dont feel 'endangered'.
Drawing attention in nigeria is normal as long as youre good looking,  . . . or ugly. People will notice you. So you might not be used to the outspoken nature of the street person or locals who immediately voice their opinions on how you look. Its the norm in nigeria.

I have heard of the kidnappings and a friend was kidnapped recently because of who his dad is (actually theyre from your state, and the ransom was hell), and I get it.

I called you ignorant cos I was a little pissed as your attitude reminded me of my very american uncle who sounds just like you. Thats probably what I was reacting to. I find it a little ignorant of people who live in the US to think theyre not safe anywhere but in the US (pls dont deny it). It kind of vexes me, cos I was there once, and didnt feel at all safe.

No matter who your folks are, there are wealthier people in nigeria and they live there. Some of them get kidnapped and the majority dont.

So my point is same (just not harsh or personal). If you were there in summer and felt ok (maybe cos you were in a city), but at the same time, if you have all this background info, like your dad telling you not to come and your cousins saying its fine, its kind of clumsy coming to a blog to ask the question of strangers 

And dont try the inteligence of nigerians when it comes to finding out who people  are. Whether your name is Ada or not.

@ada u are from imo, i am also from imo let me advise u owerri is very hot they will surely kidnap anyone that is loaded but they dont knidnap the children they rather kidnap the parents which is the raw material, so u shld be scared about ur parents and not yourself. But for me i must go to naija infact imo this christmas notin do me, the lord is my strength. Dnt be scared, pls come back home this xmas, imo is bubbling. lol

It's safe to travel to Nigeria but if you would be driving do this to your car to avoid stories

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhBLtF3Ncmk