UNITED States of America (USA)
has placed a security tag on Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Rivers and sixteen other states
in Nigeria urging their nationals in the country to avoid the states or take adequate
security measures if a necessity calls for their presence in those areas.
Others are Bauchi, Bayelsa,
Delta, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, Plateau,
Sokoto, and Zamfara.
The security warning
published on Wednesday on the website of the U.S. Department of State, listed
kidnapping, robberies, Islamic extremism, and other violent attacks as the
major vices dominant in those states...
The Department of State emphatically
mandated its citizens to apply for advance clearance by the US mission for any
travel to those states adding that security should also be enhanced with
vigilance around government security facilities, churches, mosques, other
places of worship, or locations that usually attract large crowds such as hotels,
clubs, bars, markets, shopping malls; and other areas frequented by expatriates
and foreign travelers.
“It recommends against all
but essential travel to the following states due to the risk of kidnappings,
robberies, and other armed attacks.
“The Department of State also
warns against travel in the Gulf of Guinea, because of the threat of piracy.
“Security measures in Nigeria
remain heightened due to threats posed by extremist groups, and U.S. citizens
may encounter police and military checkpoints, additional security, and
possible road blocks throughout the country.
“Hundreds of thousands of
Nigerians have been displaced as a result of violence in the north.
“Separatist groups have
staged demonstrations in Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, Lagos, and
Rivers States, some of which have turned violent.
“Militant groups have
destroyed oil production infrastructure in Bayelsa and Delta states.
“U.S. citizens are advised to
avoid the areas of these states where these incidents have occurred.
“Attacks by pirates off the coast of Nigeria in the Gulf of Guinea have increased substantially in recent years.
“Attacks by pirates off the coast of Nigeria in the Gulf of Guinea have increased substantially in recent years.
“Armed gangs have boarded
both commercial and private vessels to rob travellers.
“The Nigerian Navy has limited capacity to respond to criminal acts at sea”, it stated.
“The Nigerian Navy has limited capacity to respond to criminal acts at sea”, it stated.
