TRAVEL WARNING: NIGERIA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 075006

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC AF NI
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING: NIGERIA


1. The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens
of the risks of travel to Nigeria and recommends
avoiding all but essential travel to the Niger
Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and
Rivers. Violent crime is a problem in Lagos and
other large cities as well as on the roads between
cities. Tension between some Muslim and Christian
communities, and between ethnic groups,
occasionally results in violence, but is not
directed specifically against American citizens.
This replaces the Travel Warning for Nigeria dated
December 2, 2008, to note additional areas of
military operations, violent activity, and crime in
Nigeria.

2. American citizens should defer all but essential
travel to the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom,
Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers because of the continued
risks of kidnapping, robbery, and other armed
attacks in these areas, especially against oil-
related facilities and other infrastructure. A
loose alliance of militant groups has conducted a
number of attacks, mostly in Rivers state, against
oil installations and posts of the Nigerian
military's Joint Task Force (JTF),which is
attempting to close the militant camps. Since
January 2008, over 54 foreign national oil workers
or business people in parts of the Niger Delta
region have been kidnapped from off-shore and land-
based oil facilities, residential compounds, and
public roadways, and similar incidents have
occurred in several other parts of Nigeria. The
Nigerian government considers militant camps and
surrounding areas in the Delta region states of
Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers to be
conflict areas. In May 2009, the JTF began
conducting larger-scale military activities against
militant camps in Delta State that further
heightened security concerns in the state. JTF
operations could also begin in other parts of the
Delta region as determined by the Nigerian
Government. Travel by foreigners to these areas
without prior consultation and coordination with
local security authorities is not recommended, as
the Nigerian Government may see this activity as
inappropriate and potentially illegal. Nigerian
authorities detained six American citizens,
including journalists, on six separate occasions,
in this same region in 2008. The Nigerian
government interrogated these Americans for lengthy
periods without bringing formal charges, and
ultimately deported them. Journalists are required
to obtain a special accreditation from the Ministry
of Information prior to traveling to conflict areas
in the Niger Delta region states. This special
accreditation is in addition to the general press
accreditation and valid Nigerian visa required to
conduct such activities elsewhere in Nigeria.

3. Many foreign oil companies operating in the
Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta,
and Rivers have implemented "essential travel only"
policies for their personnel. The U.S. Mission
currently requires advance permission for U.S.
Government travel to these states, as well as the
states of Abia, Edo and Imo, given the safety and
security risk assessments, and the U.S. Embassy or
Consulate's limited ability to provide assistance
to people detained by Nigerian authorities in these
states. The incidence of kidnappings and other
armed attacks is on the rise in Abia and Imo
states. American citizens who are resident in
these Niger Delta and southeastern states are

STATE 00075006 002 OF 002


advised to review their personal security in light
of the information contained in this Travel
Warning.

4. Violent crime committed by individuals and
gangs, as well as by some persons wearing police
and military uniforms, is an ongoing problem,
especially at night. Crime is particularly acute
in Lagos. Traveling outside of major cities during
hours of darkness is not recommended due to both
crime and road safety concerns. Visitors to
Nigeria, including American citizens, have been
victims of armed robbery on the airport roads from
Lagos and Abuja during both daylight and nighttime
hours. Some visitors and resident Americans have
experienced armed muggings, assaults, burglary,
kidnappings, and extortion, often involving
violence, as well as carjackings, roadblock
robberies, and armed break-ins.

5. Religious tension between some Muslim and
Christian communities occasionally results in acts
of isolated communal violence that could erupt
quickly and without warning. So far, American
citizens have not been directly targeted. The
states of Kano, Kaduna and Plateau are particularly
volatile. Rival ethnic groups have clashed
violently in Delta state around Warri city and in
North-Central Plateau state.

6. U.S. citizens who travel to or reside in Nigeria
are strongly advised to register through the State
Department's travel registration website,
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs .
Americans without Internet access may register
directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or
Consulate.
By registering, American citizens make it easier
for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in
case of emergency.

7. U.S. citizens should contact the U.S. Embassy in
Abuja or the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos for
up-to-date information on any restrictions. The
U.S. Embassy in Abuja is open Monday-Thursday 7:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 1:30
p.m. The U.S. Consulate General in Lagos is open
Monday-Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and
Friday 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The U.S. Embassy in
Abuja can be contacted by phone at [234](9)461-

4000. American citizens may contact the U.S.
Consulate General in Lagos at [234(1)460-3600. You
may also visit the U.S. Mission's website at
http://nigeria.usembassy.gov/.


8. U.S. citizens should also consult the Department
of State's most recent Country Specific Information
for Nigeria and the Worldwide Caution, which are
located on the Department's web site at
http://www.travel.state.gov. Up-to-date
information on safety and security can also be
obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the
U.S. and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line,
1-202-501-4444, from other countries. These
numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S.
federal holidays).

9.Minimize considered.
CLINTON