Travel Alert: U.S. Warns Citizens About Risks In 18 Nigerian States....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The United States government has released an updated travel advisory for Nigeria, urging its citizens to exercise caution when considering travel to specific Nigerian states. The advisory cites an “increased risk of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed gangs” throughout the country.

In the revised travel advisory, issued on September 20 by the U.S. Department of State and published on Thursday on its official website, the Department has identified 18 Nigerian states with a flat “do not travel” warning.

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States under this “do not travel” warning include Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and Adamawa, primarily due to concerns related to terrorism and kidnapping. Additionally, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States have been designated as high-risk areas for kidnapping.

Other states on the advisory list include Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers States, primarily due to elevated risks of crime, kidnapping, and armed gang activities.

These states have been categorized as Level 4 areas, signifying the highest risk zones, and the advisory warns that the security situation in these states is “fluid and unpredictable” due to ongoing terrorist activities, inter-communal violence, and kidnapping incidents. The advisory highlights a range of violent crimes, including armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking, roadside banditry, and rape, which are prevalent across the country.

The advisory further emphasizes the frequency of kidnappings for ransom, with dual national citizens and U.S. citizens perceived as wealthy being common targets. Terrorist groups continue to plan and execute attacks across Nigeria, with a focus on crowded areas like shopping centers, malls, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants, bars, schools, government installations, transportation hubs, and other places where people gather. These groups often collaborate with local gangs to extend their reach.

In addition to these concerns, the advisory notes civil unrest and the presence of armed gangs in parts of Southern Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta and Southeast regions. Armed criminality, including kidnapping and assaults on Nigerian security forces, is prevalent in these areas. Tensions can escalate between farming and herding communities in rural regions.

The previous travel advisory issued by the U.S. Department on Nigeria was in August. The State Department’s earlier advisory, issued in January, had categorized Nigeria as a “Level 3 – Reconsider Travel” destination, citing the routine targeting of humanitarian camps, security forces, religious institutions, educational institutions, entertainment venues, and road travelers by terrorist groups based in the Northeast.