Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520


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This information is current as of today, Sun Nov 11 12:59:55 2007.

NIGERIA
October 30, 2007

This Travel Warning is being issued to warn US. citizens of the possible dangers of travel to Nigeria, and to note the continued unstable security situation in the Niger Delta region.  American citizens should defer all but essential travel to Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers states because of the very high risk of[b] kidnapping, robbery, and other armed attacks in these areas.[/b]  American citizens who are resident in the Delta are strongly advised to review their personal security in light of the information contained in this Travel Warning when deciding whether to remain.  The ability of the US. Government to provide consular services to Americans in these areas may be limited.  This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Nigeria issued January 19, 2007.

The Department of State continues to warn US. citizens of the possible dangers of travel to Nigeria.  Periodically, travel by US. mission personnel is restricted based on changing security conditions, often due to crime, general strikes, or student/political demonstrations or disturbances.  The lack of law and order in Nigeria poses considerable risks to travelers.  Violent crime committed by ordinary criminals, as well as by persons in police and military uniforms, can occur throughout the country and tends to peak between November and January, during the holiday period.

After several weeks of armed clashes between heavily-armed rival militias, the security situation in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has stabilized slightly, due to the presence of a large military Joint Task Force (JTF).  Despite the JTF presence, however, one expatriate was killed during a kidnapping attempt and at least one other was taken hostage.  The restoration of order remains fragile and the potential for violent outbreaks still exists.  In 2007, over 150 foreigners in the Niger Delta region have been kidnapped from off-shore and land-based oil facilities, residential compounds, and public roadways mainly in Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers states.  While most hostages have been released unharmed, two expatriates have died since November 2006 while in captivity and many were held for weeks in hostile conditions.  In response to the high number of kidnappings and two car bombs at oil company compounds in Port Harcourt, most oil industry personnel in the Niger Delta removed their dependents from the area and implemented “essential travel only” policies.  US. citizens and other foreigners have been threatened during labor disputes.  Criminal groups have kidnapped and held for ransom expatriate workers, including American citizens, and family members. 

Despite Federal and State Government efforts to quell the violence and address concerns voiced by militant leaders, one faction threatened to resume attacks and kidnappings unless its demands are met.  Although kidnappings of foreigners have declined since an informal cease-fire in late July, the Department of State continues to advise Americans to defer all but essential travel to Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers states at this time.  American citizens residing in the Delta are strongly advised to consider the information contained in this Travel Warning when deciding whether to remain.

Crime in Lagos and Abuja is an ongoing problem.  Visitors and resident Americans have experienced armed muggings, assaults, burglary, kidnappings and extortion, often involving violence.  Carjackings, roadblock robberies, and armed break-ins are common in many parts of Nigeria.  Traveling outside of major cities during hours of darkness is not recommended.  Visitors to Nigeria, including a number of American citizens, have been victims of armed robbery on the road from Murtala Muhammad International Airport during both daylight and nighttime hours.  Even Victoria and Ikoyi Islands, which are generally safer than other parts of Lagos, have seen an increase in crime, including some involving expatriates. 

Religious tension between some Muslim and Christian communities results in occasional acts of isolated communal violence that could erupt quickly and without warning.  The states of Kano and Kaduna are particularly volatile.  Rival ethnic groups have clashed violently in the Niger Delta region around Warri city and in Southeast Plateau State. 

Senior al-Qaida leadership has expressed interest publicly in overthrowing the government of Nigeria.  Links also were uncovered connecting Nigerians to al-Qaida in 2004.  

Road travel is dangerous.  Robberies by armed gangs have been reported on rural roads and within major cities.  Travelers should avoid driving at night.  Because of poor vehicle maintenance and driving conditions, public transportation throughout Nigeria can be dangerous and should be avoided.  Taxis pose risks because of the[b] possibility of fraudulent or criminal operators, old and unsafe vehicles, and poorly maintained roads. [/b]  Road travel in Lagos is banned between 7:00 and 10:00 AM on the last Saturday of every month for municipal road cleanup; police vigilantly enforce the ban.

Enforcement of aviation safety standards in Nigeria is uneven; civil aviation in Nigeria continues to experience air incidents and accidents, including four crashes with fatalities between October 22, 2005, and October 30, 2006. 

Incidents included fires on planes, collapsed landing gear, and planes veering off the runway.  After each such occurrence, aviation authorities may temporarily shut down the domestic airline involved, ground a number of planes, and close the affected airport.  Flights in Nigeria, including international routes, are often delayed or cancelled.  Travelers should be prepared for disruptions to air travel to, from, and within Nigeria.

In general, international airlines have paid close attention to conditions at airports in Nigeria and have taken appropriate action.  As such, international carriers operating direct flights to Nigeria have experienced far fewer incidents.  However, domestic carriers operating within Nigeria and the region are less responsive to local conditions and may present a greater safety risk to travelers.  Where possible, international travelers to and from Nigeria should avoid transiting an additional Nigerian city.

Travel by any means within Nigeria is risky.  For essential travel, official Americans in Nigeria balance the risk between domestic air and road travel by using direct flights on Virgin Nigeria Airlines or AERO Contractors to cities serviced by these carriers.  Currently, however, neither Virgin Nigeria nor AERO appears in most travel agency software.  Additional information on current flight schedules is available at http://www.virginnigeria.com and http://www.flyaero.com. 

Some Nigeria-based criminals conduct advance fee fraud and other scams that target foreigners worldwide.  These fraudulent activities pose great risk of financial loss.  Recipients traveling to Nigeria to pursue such fraudulent offers have been subject to physical harm, and local police authorities are often unwilling to help in such cases.  No one should provide personal financial or account information to unknown parties.  Under no circumstances should US. citizens travel to Nigeria without a valid visa -- an invitation to enter Nigeria without a visa is normally indicative of illegal activity.  Furthermore, the ability of US. Mission officers to extricate US. citizens from unlawful business deals and their consequences is extremely limited.  Persons contemplating business deals in Nigeria are strongly urged to check with the US. Department of Commerce or the US. Department of State before providing any information or making any financial commitments.  See the Department of State's publications, International Financial Scams, Tips for Business Travelers to Nigeria, and Advance Fee Business Scams. 

Americans who travel to Nigeria should obtain the latest health information before departing the US., read the Department’s Fact Sheet on Avian Influenza at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1181.html, and consult with their personal physicians concerning avian influenza.  The websites of the US. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov and the World Health Organization at http://www.who.int have up-to-date information on outbreaks of contagious and tropical diseases.

US. citizens who travel to or reside in Nigeria are strongly advised to register through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs.  Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest US. Embassy or Consulate.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

US. citizens should contact the US. Embassy in Abuja or the US. Consulate General in Lagos for up-to-date information on any restrictions.  The US. Embassy in Abuja can be contacted by phone at [234](9) 461-4000.  American citizens may contact the US. Consulate General in Lagos at 011 [234](1) 261-1215 during business hours.  Please call [234] (1) 261-1414, 261-0195, 261-0078, 261-0139, or 261-6477 about emergencies after business hours.  You may also visit the US. Mission’s website at http://nigeria.usembassy.gov/.

US. citizens should also consult the Department of State's most recent Consular Information Sheet for Nigeria and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, which are located on the Department's Internet web site at http://www.travel.state.gov.  Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the US., or for callers outside the US. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except US. federal holidays).



http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_928.html

Current Travel Warnings
Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid a certain country. The countries listed below are currently on that list. In addition to this list, the State Department issues Consular Information Sheets  for every country of the world with information on such matters as the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the location of the nearest US. embassy or consulate in the subject country.

Nigeria  10/30/2007
Uzbekistan  10/25/2007
Sri Lanka  10/19/2007
Kenya  10/18/2007
Lebanon  10/17/2007
Indonesia  10/05/2007
Yemen  09/24/2007
Nepal  09/24/2007
Pakistan  09/21/2007
Syria  09/18/2007
Algeria  09/14/2007
Timor-Leste  09/12/2007
Sudan  09/06/2007
Haiti  08/31/2007
Burundi  08/09/2007
Central African Republic  08/09/2007
Iraq  07/23/2007
Israel, the West Bank and Gaza  07/13/2007
Saudi Arabia  06/14/2007
Chad  06/11/2007
Colombia  06/04/2007
Côte d'Ivoire  06/01/2007
Iran  05/31/2007
Eritrea  05/02/2007
Philippines  04/27/2007
Congo, Democratic Republic of the  04/24/2007
Afghanistan  04/04/2007
Somalia  06/05/2006


http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html

davidylan:

funny how Iraq doesnt have a much longer travel alert than Nigeria.

davidylan:

this travel alert na strong wind of change.

dafman:


Why did you post the travel alert here? is this an American forum? they are trying to scare their citizens from going to Nigeria, and you are swallowing everything hook, line and sinker. i don't see what use that information is to Nigerians abroad.

we know wetin dey happen, afterall na there we grow up.

almondjoy:

Yeah!---"Sweet Wind"!!!!

Sorry to disappoint you. Some Nigerians are also American citizens with children who are American citizens and have no clue about what it going on in some parts of Nigeria. It would be helpful for them to know--don't you think?

Not everyone knows what is going on there since some may have left over 5 years ago or more.

@dtw_sola wrote:
Here's Link: Copy and paste. For some reason, clickable link doesn't work.
http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&=1007029390590&a=KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618386298

Foreign & Commonwealth in London Embassy
Still Current at: 16 November 2007 
Updated: 21 October 2007 


[img]http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kimage/nigeria,0.gif[/img]  Nigeria
   

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary and the Safety and Security  section (abduction 21 October).  The overall level of the advice has not changed.


SUMMARY


We advise against all travel to the Niger Delta(Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States, including Port Harcourt) and advise British nationals in these States to leave.  This is because of the very high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks in these areas.  Since January 2006, 36 British nationals, (including one child), and more than 180 other foreign nationals have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta area, with one British national being killed.


We advise against all travel to riverine areas of Cross River State (i.e. the river and swamp locations on or close to, the coast accessible only by boat, but not by road).  We also advise against all but essential travel to Akwa Ibom State because of the high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks.


If, despite this travel advice, you decide to travel to, or remain in, the Niger Delta or the riverine areas of Cross River State, you do so at your own risk.  Since 17 August 2007, a night time curfew has been in place in Port Harcourt. See the Terrorism/Security section of this advice for more details.


There is a high risk of kidnappings and other armed attacks in the Niger Delta to ships and oil-rigs at sea off the coast of the Delta.  In 2007 there has been an increase in attacks offshore.  There is also a risk of kidnapping in other States in south east Nigeria.  See the Sea Travel and Terrorism/Security sections of this advice for more details.


Localised outbreaks of civil unrest can occur at short notice.  Details and advice are circulated via the British High Commission's Community Liaison Officers' network.  We strongly advise British nationals staying in Nigeria for three months or more to register with the British High Commission.  See the General (Registration) section of this advice for more details.


The most common incidents for which British nationals required consular assistance in Nigeria in 2006, were attempts by scam artists to extract money.  Violent crime is also prevalent in the south of the country, including Lagos.  See the Crime (Scams) section of this travel advice for more details.


There is a general threat from terrorism in Nigeria.  There is reporting to suggest that terrorists may be planning attacks, which could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers such as Western official and commercial interests.  As a result the Nigerian authorities have reviewed security arrangements at Embassies and High Commissions in Abuja and Lagos.


Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Nigeria have resulted in one human fatality.  See the Health (Avian Influenza) section of this advice and the Avian and Pandemic Influenza Factsheet for more details.


We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.   You should check that your insurance company provides personal insurance cover for you in Nigeria, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.   Check any exclusions.  Please see: the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

dgb4:

Almond,
Are u a[b] travel administrator [/b]
u sound like one

mrpataki:

@ almondjoy,

Still on this travel alert crusade of yours?

almondjoy:

mrpataki is everything ok?---Who is on a crusade?  I only shared what I found with my fellow American-Nigerians.  Any problem with it?

The info was very beneficial to me, so I can register with an American consulate in case some yahoo people steal my passport ooooooooooooooooooooooooh!   I do not plan to be marooned in Nigeria like "Robinson Crusoe" with my "Man Friday"!

handsome_:

American Nigeria - na wao - some people will call themselves all manner of names just to belong - which one is American Nigerian again - even the black native Americans are struggling with finding a place talkless of you negro from Africa calling yourself an American Nigerian? How silly is that? Are you one of those that changes your name from what it is naturally to feel you belong to the foreign place where you live?

Each time I fly to Nigeria - I see loads of people coming from America - white people - and they are all going to Nigeria - on all flights I had been lately - KLM, VIRGIN, BA, etc - people come to Nigeria to earn their living - loads even have their business and homes and kids - so who cares about the travel alert?

As its always said - it is the bastard who uses the left hand to point to his/her fathers house - who cares what America thinks of Nigeria? I bet their country is the safest in the world.

awon boiz:

@ALMONDJOY

seems you are so excited where you are right now that you never dreamt of being there before,

I sorry for you, you dey claim another country as yours abi?

OMO ALEE!!!!!!

almondjoy:

Yes ooooooooooooooooooooooh! E dey pain you? Do your very worst! [/b]I am so excited and I cannot believe my good fortune that life can really be the "best" outside Nigeria. What has Yaradua done for you lately? Bush just gave me a raise and free turkey for thanksgiving dinner. Can't believe all I have accomplished in less than 10 years without sleeping with one leprous alhaji or pot-bellied Otumba!!!!

[b]So jump in a lake and drown!

[b]Please send me your info so I can help you play Visa Lotto. [/b]I have a lucky hand and have helped 5 people since I have been here. Just ask nicely ok?

handsome_:



Each time I fly to Nigeria - I see loads of people coming from America - white people - and they are all going to Nigeria - on all flights I had been lately -

awon boiz:



I sorry for you, you dey claim another country as yours abi?

OMO ALEE!!!!!!

handsome_:


As its always said - it is the bastard who uses the left hand to point to his/her fathers house