Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens - Kidnapping of an Expatriate in Kano (Jannuary 26, 2012)

January 26, 2012

The U.S. Embassy and Consulate General issue the following emergency message for U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Nigeria.

The U.S. Mission alerts U.S. citizens that assailants kidnapped a German citizen along the Zaria Road in Kano, Kano State, on January 26.  According to media reports, investigators believe the abduction occurred at the construction site where the individual worked.  As a follow-up to the last Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens (released January 21), the U.S.

Mission to Nigeria has temporarily deferred all travel by U.S. government personnel to northern Nigeria.  As a reminder, curfews of varying durations remain in place in the cities of Gusau (Zamfara State), Kano (Kano State), Maiduguri (Borno State), Minna (Niger State), Potiskum (Yobe State), and Yola (Adamawa State).

The U.S. Embassy continues to monitor closely the ongoing threat posed by a Nigerian extremist group and various criminal groups, and their intentions to carry out attacks against the Nigerian government and western interests in Nigeria.  Locations where large crowds may gather, including large hotels, places of worship, shopping centers, and areas frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers are potential targets.  Nigerian police and military units may establish additional police checkpoints, security, and road blocks in major cities for the foreseeable future.

Please review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, monitor local news stations for updates, and report specific incidents of targeted violence to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos at the numbers listed below.  For additional safety and security information, please refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad."

You can stay in touch and obtain Embassy updates by checking the U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria website.  You can also obtain global updates at the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website where you can find the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information.  Current information on safety and security is also available by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers from other countries, 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).

If you plan to reside in or visit Nigeria, please take the time to tell us about your travel by enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  If you enroll, we can keep you up-to-date with important safety and security announcements.  It will also help your friends and family contact you in an emergency.  Please remember to keep all of your information in STEP up-to-date.  When you enroll or update your information, please include your current telephone number and e-mail address so that we can reach you in case of an emergency.

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja is located at 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central Area, Abuja.  The Consular Section can be contacted, including during after-hours emergencies, at +234 (9) 461-4000 , or via e-mail at ConsularAbuja@state.gov.  The hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM and Friday from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM, except holidays. 

The U.S. Consulate General in Lagos is located at 2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos.  The U.S. Consulate General in Lagos can be reached by telephone, including during after-hours emergencies at +234 (1) 460-3400 or +234 (1) 460-3600 , or via email at LagosACS@state.gov.  The hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Friday from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM, except holidays.