The Department of State has warned U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Nigeria and recommends that U.S. citizens avoid all but essential travel to Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kano, and Yobe states because the security situation in northeast Nigeria remains fluid and unpredictable.
This replaces the Travel Warning dated August 3, 2016.
Boko Haram, an extremist group based in the northeast, has targeted churches, schools, mosques, government installations, educational institutions, and entertainment venues in Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, Taraba, the Federal Capital Territory, and Yobe states.
Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians have been displaced as a result of violence in the north.
The statement advised citizens to exercise extreme caution throughout the country due to the threat of indiscriminate violence urging them to be vigilant at public gatherings and locations frequented by foreigners such as markets, hotels, restaurants, bars, and places of worship may become targets for terrorist attacks.
The warning advised U.S. citizens to have evacuation plans that do not solely rely on U.S. government assistance as poor transportation infrastructure makes it difficult for the U.S. Mission to provide consular services in these states.
U.S. Mission personnel are subject to restrictions when traveling in Nigeria, with the exception of local areas of Abuja and Lagos, and may be subject to other constraints as security conditions warrant.
From March 8 to April 19, the Muritala Muhammed Airport in Abuja will be under scheduled maintenance repairs and flights will be re-routed to Kaduna, raising security concerns for travellers.
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has assured that the federal government plans to increase security personnel in and around the Kaduna airport during the duration of the repairs.
According to him, aviation security will be enhanced within and outside the airport as well as ambulances and helicopter patrol by the security forces along the road from Kaduna to Abuja.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that the operation is smooth and we are committed to doing that and it is not just reaction it is about action.
“he government is providing free bus and train services to air passengers and helicopter services will be available for those that can afford it,” he said.
However, international airlines including British Airways, Lufthansa and South African Airways have refused to fly to Kaduna citing security concerns.
Understandably, a kidnap case involving two Germans was reported on February 22 in a town near the Abuja-Kaduna road.
Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of state for Health had during a media chat said the Federal government has worked out designated response centres in collaboration with the government of Kaduna and Niger State respectively.
“We have worked out modalities with Commissioners of Health of Kaduna and Niger Staste, to have six strategically located heath centres which has been identified and assessed as Primary Response Centres”, he said.
To ensure safety during trips abroad, U.S. citizens are advised to sign up for The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive security messages and enable rescue agencies locate them if there is an emergency.
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Due to the risk of kidnappings, robberies, and other armed attacks, U.S. citizens were also advised to avoid all but essential travel to: Bayelsa, Delta, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, and Zamfara states. Travel to the Gulf of Guinea was also flagged in the communiqué due to piracy threats.
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