By Nwaneri Uche
Nigeria’s lack of healthcare services, increased rates of kidnapping, terrorism, and armed gangs have prompted the U.S. government to issue new travel advice to its nationals, warning them not to go there.
With some countries designated as high-risk areas, the U.S. travel advice, released as part of its security review, acts as a reference for tourists arranging vacations to Africa. Eleven other African nations, including Somalia, Libya, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Burundi, Mauritania, Guinea-Bisau, Niger, and Chad, were also included in the advisory warning.
Level four, “do not travel,” was the most severe, and level three, “reconsider travel,” indicated a considerable risk. The advisory divided countries into four tiers. On its website, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria warned its people to reevaluate travel plans to Nigeria.
According to the statement, there is a “significant security risk” at every location in Nigeria. Although citizens can still visit, the U.S. identified 18 states as most dangerous and advised its citizens to stay away from them.
Due to terrorism and kidnapping, it recommended avoiding Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa. It also advised staying away from Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara due to kidnapping. Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (except Port Harcourt) were also noted for crime and armed gangs.
The message warned tourists against visiting Nigeria due to armed gangs, criminality, terrorism, civil upheaval, kidnapping, and uneven medical care. Every location in Nigeria has serious security concerns, though some are riskier than others.
“The nation has a high rate of violent crime, including rape, highway banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, assault, carjacking, and hostage-taking. Kidnappings for ransom are frequent and mostly target rich U.S. citizens and dual nationals. On interstate highways, kidnapping gangs stop victims.”
“Terrorist violence is a possibility in Nigeria. Terrorists are still planning and executing attacks, working with neighbourhood gangs. Targeting malls, markets, hotels, houses of religion, eateries, bars, schools, government offices, transit hubs, and public areas, they may launch attacks with little notice.”
“There are armed gangs and civil disturbances in Southern Nigeria, especially in the Southeast and Niger Delta. These regions have high rates of gang activity and armed crime, including attacks on Nigerian security forces and kidnappings.”
“In rural places, conflicts between herder and farmer populations can erupt. Americans shouldn’t expect to receive the same quality of healthcare as in the U.S. Medical facilities lack the resources and equipment to meet American or European standards. Many medications are unavailable, such as those for asthma and diabetes.”
“It’s essential to pack adequate prescription and over-the-counter medications. You should renew your immunisations to include polio booster, cholera, typhoid, meningitis, yellow fever, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B. Given Nigeria’s high malaria risk, all tourists should take malaria prophylactics. Hospitals frequently demand immediate cash payment for services, and counterfeit medications are prevalent. U.S. health insurance is not accepted by most physicians and hospitals. Emergency services are inadequate.”
“Blood supply and ambulance services are frequently unreliable, under equipped, and lack trained paramedics. Before visiting Nigeria, we strongly advise obtaining travel insurance, especially medical evacuation insurance.”
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