U.S. issues travel warning for Nigeria, citing kidnapping risks and inadequate healthcare services.

U.S. issues travel warning for Nigeria, citing kidnapping risks and inadequate healthcare services.

The United States government has issued a travel advisory warning its citizens against visiting Nigeria due to limited access to healthcare, rising incidents of kidnapping, terrorism, and activities of armed gangs, among other security concerns.

This advisory is part of a broader security assessment intended to guide travelers planning trips to Africa, highlighting certain nations as high-risk destinations. In addition to Nigeria, 11 other African countries were also listed, including Somalia, Libya, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Burundi, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, and Chad.

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.

The U.S. government has specifically advised its citizens to avoid travel to Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa states due to the heightened threats of terrorism and kidnapping. It also warned against visiting Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states because of the risk of kidnapping, while cautioning against travel to Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states due to high levels of crime, kidnapping, and the presence of armed gangs.

“Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to widespread crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed gangs, and limited availability of reliable healthcare services,” the advisory stated, emphasizing that while risks vary by region, the entire country poses significant security concerns.

The statement highlighted the prevalence of violent crimes, including armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking, roadside banditry, and sexual assault. It noted that kidnappings for ransom are frequent, with dual nationals and U.S. citizens perceived as wealthy being common targets. In many cases, victims have been abducted while traveling on interstate roads.