Security In Nigeria: US issues travel warning to citizens
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- Category: International
- Published on Wednesday, 19 October 2011 09:02
- Written by Admin
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Following the spate of bombings by Boko Haram and kidnapping in some parts of the country, the United States Department of State has issued a warning to its citizens, who intend to travel to Nigeria.
The warning, which was dated October 13, is contained in Travel.State.Gov, a service of the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Department, which was accessed yesterday.
It listed states which its citizens should avoid as Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Abia, Edo, Imo, Jos in Plateau State , Bauchi and Borno.
It claimed that since January 2009, over 140 foreign nationals have been kidnapped in Nigeria , including five U.S. citizens.
The warning reads: “The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Nigeria, and continues to recommend that U.S. citizens avoid all but essential travel to the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers; the Southeastern states of Abia, Edo, Imo; the city of Jos in Plateau State, Bauchi and Borno States in the northeast; and the Gulf of Guinea because of the risks of kidnapping, robbery, and other armed attacks in these areas.
“Violent crime committed by individuals and gangs, as well as by persons wearing police and military uniforms, remains a problem throughout the country.
“This notice replaces the Travel Warning for Nigeria dated October 19, last year, to update information on recent violent activity and crime in Nigeria .
“On August 26, 2011, a suicide bombing at the UN Headquarters in Abuja killed 23 people and injured more than 80 other individuals. This attack was the first against an international organisation and the fourth bombing in Abuja during the past year.”
