US urges residents to rethink deliberate journey to Nigeria over kidnapping, poor healthcare

The US government has warned its citizens against travel to Nigeria over the unavailability of healthcare services, the increasing rate of kidnapping, terrorism, and armed gangs, among other crimes.

The US gave the travel advisory as part of its security review, which serves as a guide for travellers planning trips to Africa, with some countries flagged as high-risk zones.

Apart from Nigeria, the US also flagged 11 other African countries, including Somalia, Libya, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Burundi, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, and Chad, in its global travel advisory warning.

The advisory categorised countries into four levels, with Level Four “Do Not Travel” being the most severe, and Level Three “Reconsider Travel” indicating serious risk.

The US, in a statement by its Mission in Nigeria posted on its website, stated that all locations carry a significant security risk.

While citizens may still travel to Nigeria, the government, however, designated 18 states as the most severe and advised its citizens to avoid those states completely.

Among others, it advised its citizens to avoid Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa states due to terrorism and kidnapping; Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states due to kidnapping; and Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states due to crime, kidnapping, and armed gangs.

“Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed gangs, and inconsistent availability of health care services. Some places in Nigeria have an increased risk. Overall, all locations carry significant security risks.

“Violent crime is common in the country. This includes armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking, roadside banditry, and rape.

“Kidnappings for ransom happen often. They primarily target dual national citizens visiting Nigeria and U.S. citizens perceived as wealthy. Kidnapping gangs have also stopped victims on interstate roads,” the statement partly read.