The new warning which was issued by the Bureau of Consular Affairs,
State Department, was dated January12, 2012 and its replaces the one
issued on October 13, 2011.
US citizens were specifically warned of the risks of traveling to
Nigeria and suggested that they should avoid all but essential travel to
10 states of the federation and the Gulf of Guinea because of the risks
of kidnapping, robbery, and other armed attacks.
Noting that "violent crime committed by individuals and gangs, as well
as by persons wearing police and military uniforms, remains a problem
throughout the country", it listed Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers,
Abia, Edo, Imo, the city of Jos in Plateau State, Bauchi and Borno as
states which US citizens should avoid except if the trip was essential.
On the state of emergency declared on some areas in the North following
attacks by the militant Islamic Sect, Boko Haram, US noted that the
declaration gives the government sweeping powers to search and arrest
without warrants.
It also noted that the nationwide protests over fuel subsidy removal,
caused the closure of businesses throughout the country and led to some
clashes with security forces resulting in deaths.
It said, "While airports in Lagos and Abuja are open, most
international carriers cancelled their flights January 9, and may
continue to do so with little notice. The situation is fluid and
dynamic. US citizens are advised to follow the local media for
up-to-date reports and contact airline carriers for flight information."
Painting a bleak picture of the security situation in the country, the
statement catalogued the series of deadly attacks in the country
saying, "On January 6, gunmen reportedly killed 12 worshipers at a
church in Jineta-Yoli, Adamawa State. Gunmen also attacked gatherings in
Gombe, Gombe State and Mubi, Adamawa on January 5, reportedly killing
28 people. An explosive device was thrown into an Arabic-Koranic school
in Sapele, Delta State on December 28, injuring seven people. An
extremist group known as Boko Haram took credit for church attacks on
December 25, 2011, in Niger, Plateau, and Yobe States that killed
dozens.
"On August 26, 2011, a suicide bombing at the UN Headquarters in Abuja
killed 25 people and wounded more than 80 other individuals. This attack
was the first against an international organization and the fourth
bombing in Abuja during the past year. It followed a similar bombing
against the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters ten weeks earlier that
killed five individuals on June 16. These bombings were in addition to
bombings elsewhere in Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa, and Plateau States
throughout the last year."
Continuing, it said, "In December 2011, a bomb exploded near an Abuja
“fish bar,” killing several people and injuring many others. Also in
December, several explosive devices detonated in Jos, Plateau State, and
alleged members of an extremist group attacked police and others in
Maiduguri, Borno State, leading to significant casualties.
"In October 2011, two car bombs detonated in downtown Abuja during
Independence Day celebrations, killing ten and wounding many others.
Since March 2010, five improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have
detonated in the Niger Delta region, causing one to three reported
casualties in each case.
"In September 2010, over 150 members of Boko Haram escaped from prison
in Bauchi, some of whom now may be participating in attacks in other
parts of the country. A loose alliance of militant groups in the Niger
Delta region has conducted a number of attacks against oil installations
and posts of the Nigerian military's Joint Task Force (JTF), which had
attempted to close the militant camps."
It also noted that since January 2009, over 140 foreign nationals had
been kidnapped in Nigeria, including seven US citizens since November
2010.
According to the statement, six foreign nationals were killed during
these abductions, while two US citizens were also killed in separate
kidnapping attempts in Port Harcourt in April 2010.
Noting that the risk of additional attacks against Western targets in
Nigeria remains high, US said, "Travel by foreigners to areas considered
by the Nigerian government to be conflict areas without prior
consultation and coordination with local security authorities is not
recommended."
It specifically noted that US citizens, as well as Nigerians and other
expatriates, had been victims of armed robbery at banks and grocery
stores and on airport roads both in daylight and evening hours.
The statement also pointed out that, "Law enforcement authorities
usually respond slowly or not at all, and provide little or no
investigative support to victims", adding, "US citizens, Nigerians, and
other expatriates have experienced harassment and shakedowns at
checkpoints and during encounters with Nigerian law enforcement
officials."
On the Gulf og Guinea, it cited regular reports of piracy and armed
gangs boarding both commercial and private vessels to rob travelers,
adding that, "The Nigerian Navy has limited capacity to respond to
criminal acts at sea."
Source: This Day Live
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