The United States government has issued a fresh travel advisory to its citizens, warning against travel to Nigeria over the unavailability of healthcare services, the increasing rate of kidnapping, terrorism, and armed gangs, among other crimes.
The travel advisory, issued as part of the US's security review, serves as a guide for travellers planning trips to Africa, with some countries flagged as high-risk zones.
Besides Nigeria, the US also flagged 11 other African countries, including Somalia, Libya, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Burundi, Mauritania, Guinea-Bisau, Niger and Chad, in its global travel advisory warning.
Nigeria Placed Under Level 3 Advisory
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. Nigeria has been placed under the level three category.
In a statement issued by the US Mission in Nigeria, posted on its website, the US cautioned its citizens to reconsider any planned trip to Nigeria, stating that all locations carry a "significant security risk."
While the citizens may still travel to Nigeria, the US, however, designated 18 states as the most severe and advised its citizens to avoid those states completely.
High-Risk States Identified
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 (except Port Harcourt) due to crime, kidnapping, and armed gangs.
The statement read: "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."
Terrorism and Armed Gang Concerns
The advisory further highlighted the risk of terrorist violence in Nigeria, noting that terrorists continue plotting and carrying out attacks in the country, often collaborating with local gangs to expand their reach.
"They may attack with little or no warning, including: shopping centres and malls, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants and bars, schools, government buildings, transportation hubs, and public places where crowds gather," the statement added.
The advisory also pointed out that civil unrest and armed gangs are active in parts of Southern Nigeria, especially in the Niger Delta and Southeast regions, where armed crime and gangs are common.
Healthcare Concerns
On healthcare, the US warned that its citizens should not expect the same level of health care to be available in Nigeria as they do in the United States.
"Nigerian medical facilities are generally not equipped to U.S. or European standards. Many medicines are not available. This includes common medications for diabetes or asthma," it stated.
The advisory recommended that travelers bring enough over-the-counter and prescription medicines to last their entire stay in Nigeria and update vaccinations to include all standard vaccinations, plus yellow fever, meningitis, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and a polio booster.
It also warned about counterfeit pharmaceuticals being a common problem and noted that hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services, with most hospitals and doctors not accepting U.S. health insurance.
"Emergency services like those in the United States or Europe do not exist. Blood supply is often unreliable. Ambulance services are unreliable, have poor equipment, and often do not have trained paramedics," it added.
The US strongly recommended getting traveller's insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before travelling to Nigeria.
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