Crime
Travel Alert: U.S. Warns Citizens About Risks In 18 Nigerian States
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.
According to Nivo News, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomed 5,000 new members in Abia State on Saturday, following the recent entry of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, into the party.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The mass defection was led by Bishop Emeka Nwankpa, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Accord Party, in his hometown of Umuaku, Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area. Supporters who joined him also left their former political affiliations, including the South East Mandate for Good Governance, to align with the ADC.
Nwankpa explained that his decision to join the ADC was driven by a strong conviction, noting that the party’s manifesto resonates with his political philosophy, emphasizing people-oriented governance, social justice, and sustainable development. He described the ADC as a credible, progressive platform capable of fostering inclusive governance and rebuilding public trust in Nigerian politics.
The Abia State Chairman of the ADC, Don Norman Obinna, formally welcomed Nwankpa and his followers, stating that the country’s political trajectory is increasingly favoring the ADC.
The Abia State Police Command has reported the arrest of 809 suspects and the recovery of 88 firearms in 438 cases across the state from January 2025 to date.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa provided the update on Friday during a briefing at his office, outlining the operational strategies and achievements of the Command during the period under review. He disclosed that 435 rounds of ammunition were recovered from suspected criminals and that over 200 suspects have been successfully prosecuted, with several jailed for various offenses.
The CP further revealed that 33 children who had been kidnapped or trafficked were rescued within and outside the state, with the suspects involved prosecuted and some already imprisoned. “We have sent a lot of people to jail. A clear message has been passed that it is no longer business as usual for criminals in Abia State,” Isa stated.
He highlighted that the state’s crime rate has declined under his leadership, attributing the success to support from Governor Alex Otti, provision of logistics, and collaboration with community stakeholders. Isa also noted that officers encountered non-state actors on several occasions, who were neutralized and disarmed.
The Police Commissioner urged residents to continue providing credible information on suspicious activities to further strengthen the fight against crime. Firearms and other weapons recovered from suspects were displayed at the Police headquarters in Umuahia for the media.
According to Nivo News, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF–NCCC) has arrested high-profile cybercrime suspects linked to a sophisticated Microsoft 365 phishing operation that targeted the email systems of major corporate organisations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The arrests followed actionable intelligence received from Microsoft Corporation in the United States through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which exposed the deployment of an advanced phishing toolkit known as RaccoonO365. The toolkit was designed to create counterfeit Microsoft login pages capable of harvesting user credentials and unlawfully accessing corporate, financial, and educational email platforms.
Briefing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that the cybercrime centre launched a coordinated, intelligence-led operation in partnership with Microsoft, the FBI, and the United States Secret Service. He explained that investigations traced multiple cases of unauthorised Microsoft 365 account access recorded between January and September 2025 to phishing emails crafted to closely mimic legitimate Microsoft authentication portals.
According to police findings, the cyberattacks resulted in business email compromise, data breaches, and significant financial losses across several jurisdictions. Acting on precise intelligence, NPF–NCCC operatives conducted targeted operations in Lagos and Edo states, leading to the arrest of three suspects. Searches carried out at their residences yielded laptops, mobile phones, and other digital devices, which forensic analysis directly linked to the fraudulent activities.
Further investigations identified Okitipi Samuel, also known by the aliases “RaccoonO365” and “Moses Felix,” as the principal suspect and alleged developer of the phishing infrastructure. Police said he operated a Telegram channel through which phishing links were sold in exchange for cryptocurrency and hosted fake login portals on Cloudflare using stolen or fraudulently obtained email credentials.
The police clarified that there was no evidence connecting the two other arrested individuals to the creation or management of the phishing scheme. The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to protecting the country’s digital environment through the use of advanced technology, enhanced international cooperation, and thorough investigative and prosecutorial processes aimed at combating evolving cyber threats.
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