- Flags Abia, Anambra, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Borno, Bauchi, Delta, 11 Others as High-risk Zones
By Hamilton Nwosa
The United States government has issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to reconsider plans to visit Nigeria due to escalating security risks and inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
This is as the US government flagged eighteen Nigerian states as “high-risk zones”, urging Americans to avoid travel to: Borno, Yobe, Kogi, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara, Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states.
The advisory, released by the US Mission in Nigeria, highlighted a surge in kidnappings, terrorism, violent crime, and armed gang activity, coupled with unreliable medical services across the country.
The US Department of State has also classified Nigeria under a Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” advisory, signaling serious safety concerns.
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.
The statement reads in part: “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.
“There is a risk of terrorist violence in Nigeria. This includes terrorist attacks and other activities.
“U.S. 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.
“Bring enough over-the-counter and prescription medicines to last your entire stay in Nigeria. Update vaccinations to include all standard vaccinations, plus yellow fever, meningitis, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and a polio booster.”
“All visitors should take Malaria prophylaxis. Nigeria is at high risk for Malaria. Counterfeit pharmaceuticals are a common problem. Hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Most hospitals and doctors do not accept 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.
We strongly recommend getting traveller’s insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before travelling.”
