Encomium
The United States of America has listed 20 out of the 36 states in Nigeria as dangerous, warning its citizens to avoid going there because of the spate of kidnapping for ransom and other security challenges.
The advisory also urged vigilance around government security facilities, places of worship, and areas with high concentration of tourists and expatriates.
The alert issued on Wednesday, August 3, 2016, listed the following states as very dangerous :
1. Borno
2. Adamawa
3. Yobe
4. Bauchi
5. Bayelsa
6. Delta
7. Edo
8. Gombe
9. Imo
10. Jigawa
11. Kaduna
12. Kano
13. Katsina
14. Kebbi
15. Kogi
16. Niger
17. Plateau
18. Rivers
19. Sokoto
20. Zamfara
Here is the advisory issued on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 :
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Nigeria and recommends that U.S. citizens avoid all travel to Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states because the security situation in northeast Nigeria remains fluid and unpredictable. The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens in Nigeria to consider their own personal security and to keep personal safety in the forefront of their travel planning. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning for Nigeria dated February 5, 2016.
The ability of the Mission to provide assistance to U.S. citizens in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states remains severely limited. The Department recommends against all but essential travel to the following states due to the risk of kidnappings, robberies, and other armed attacks: Bauchi, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, and Zamfara. The Department also warns against travel in the Gulf of Guinea because of the threat of piracy. Based on safety and security risk assessments, the Embassy maintains restrictions for travel by U.S. officials to the states listed above; officials must receive advance clearance by the U.S. Mission for any travel to those states.
