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US warns citizens of Nigeria travel risks Fri Jan 20, 7:59 PM ET
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The State Department warned US citizens of the risks of travel to Nigeria following kidnappings of foreign oil workers who include one American
"The lack of law and order in Nigeria poses considerable risks to travelers," the US department said in an advisory.
"Violent crime committed by ordinary criminals, as well as by persons in police and military uniforms, can occur throughout the country. In recent months, (the Nigerian capital) Lagos has witnessed a spike in crime," it said.
The renewed US warning came as Nigeria's government confirmed it was in talks with a gang that kidnapped four foreign oil workers -- an American, a Briton, a Bulgarian and a Honduran -- on January 11.
In a separate incident, on January 15, separatist militants attacked an oil plant operated by the energy giant Shell, killing two oil workers and at least five soldiers.
The department said the Nigeria states of Kano and Kaduna "are particularly volatile" and also noted that "senior Al-Qaeda leadership has expressed interest publicly in overthrowing the government of Nigeria".
___________________ Biafra is inevitable.Illegitimis nil carborundum. Posts: 760 | From: europe | Registered: Jan 2005
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US warns against using Nigeria's domestic airlines Fri Jan 20, 9:04 PM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department on Friday said travel to Nigeria carries considerable risk and warned against using Nigeria's domestic passenger airlines, urging travelers instead to use direct international flights.
"Most Nigerian airlines have aging fleets, and maintenance and operational procedures may be inadequate to ensure passenger safety," the State Department said in its latest travel warning.
"The lack of law and order in Nigeria poses considerable risks to travelers. Violent crime committed by ordinary criminals, as well as by persons in police and military uniforms, can occur throughout the country," it said.
The department also warned against road travel at night.
The warning came as a Nigerian militant group said a U.S. hostage it was holding, Patrick Landry, was gravely ill and that it would kill three other foreign captives if he died.
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Travel Warning United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Washington, DC 20520
This information is current as of today, Sat Jan 21 2006 06:04:25 GMT+0100. NIGERIA
January 20, 2006
This Travel Warning provides updates on the security situation in the Niger Delta and aviation safety in Nigeria. It supersedes the Travel Warning for Nigeria issued December 1, 2005.
The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Nigeria. The lack of law and order in Nigeria poses considerable risks to travelers. Violent crime committed by ordinary criminals, as well as by persons in police and military uniforms, can occur throughout the country. In recent months, Lagos has witnessed a spike in crime. Some expatriates have been robbed in the outlying Lagos suburb of Lekki. In a working class section of mainland Lagos, an October 2005 clash between police and residents left several dead. Even Victoria and Ikoyi Islands, which are generally safer than other parts of Lagos, have experienced attempted bank robberies, and have seen an increase in smash-and-grab car robberies, including some involving expatriates.
Security conditions in the Niger Delta region have continued to deteriorate. Armed local groups have attacked oil-company facilities, resulting in several deaths. In this area, the threat to expatriate oil workers of kidnapping for ransom or other objectives remains high.
Religious tension between some Muslim and Christian communities results in occasional acts of isolated communal violence that could erupt quickly and without warning. The states of Kano and Kaduna are particularly volatile. Rival ethnic groups have clashed violently in the Niger Delta region around Warri city and in Southeast Plateau State. Senior al-Qaida leadership has expressed interest publicly in overthrowing the government of Nigeria. Links also were uncovered connecting Nigerians to al-Qaida in 2004.
Periodically, travel by U.S. mission personnel is restricted based on changing security conditions, often due to crime, general strikes, or student/political demonstrations or disturbances. 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 these restrictions. (See below for contact information.)
Road travel is dangerous. Robberies by armed gangs have been reported on rural roads and within major cities. Travelers should avoid driving at night. Because of poor vehicle maintenance and driving conditions, public transportation throughout Nigeria can be dangerous and should be avoided. Taxis pose risks because of the possibility of fraudulent or criminal operators, old and unsafe vehicles, and poorly maintained roads. Road travel in Lagos is banned between 7:00 and 10:00 AM on the last Saturday of every month for municipal road cleanup; police vigilantly enforce the ban.
Most Nigerian airlines have aging fleets, and maintenance and operational procedures may be inadequate to ensure passenger safety. Domestic passenger airliner crashes in October and December 2005 resulted in numerous deaths. Because international flights tend to meet higher safety standards than domestic Nigerian flights, travelers should attempt to get direct international flights to/from their Nigerian destination, rather than transiting another Nigerian city such as Lagos. For domestic travel between Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja, the U.S. Government encourages its employees to use Virgin Nigeria Airlines or Aero Contractors.
Some Nigerian-based criminals conduct advance fee fraud and other scams that target foreigners worldwide. These fraudulent activities pose great risk of financial loss. Recipients traveling to Nigeria to pursue such fraudulent offers have been subject to physical harm, and local police authorities are often unwilling to help in such cases. No one should provide personal financial or account information to unknown parties. Under no circumstances should U.S. citizens travel to Nigeria without a valid visa -- an invitation to enter Nigeria without a visa is normally indicative of illegal activity. Furthermore, the ability of U.S. Embassy officers to extricate U.S. citizens from unlawful business deals and their consequences is limited. Persons contemplating business deals in Nigeria are strongly urged to check with the U.S. Department of Commerce or the U.S. Department of State before providing any information or making any financial commitments. See the Department of State's publications “Tips For Business Travelers To Nigeria” at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_2113.html, and “Nigerian Advanced Fee Fraud” at http://www.state.gov/www/regions/africa/naffpub.pdf.
U.S. citizens who travel to or reside in Nigeria despite this Travel Warning are strongly advised to register through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. 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. The U.S. embassy in Nigeria can be contacted by phone at [234](9) 461-4000. American citizens may contact the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos at 011 [234](1) 261-1215 during business hours. For after-hours emergencies call [234] (1) 261-1 414, 261-0195, 261-0 078, 261-0139, or 26 1-6477; website: http://nigeria.usembassy.gov.
U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State's most recent Consular Information Sheet for Nigeria, the Department's brochure, Tips for Business Travelers to Nigeria, and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, which are located on the Department's Internet web site at http://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., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
___________________ Biafra is inevitable.Illegitimis nil carborundum. Posts: 760 | From: europe | Registered: Jan 2005
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