Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens - Updated Security Reminders for the Holidays (December 23, 2011)

December 23, 2011

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria issues the following emergency message for the attention of all U.S. citizens in Nigeria.  The U.S. Mission reminds U.S. citizens in Nigeria to take extra precautions during the Christmas and New Year holiday season to ensure your safety and security.  During the past year, as noted in travel warnings, country specific information, and emergency messages for U.S. citizens, Nigeria has experienced several significant security incidents.

The U.S. Embassy advises all U.S. citizens in the Federal Capital Territory and other large northern Nigerian cities to be particularly vigilant around churches and other places of worship, locations where large crowds may gather, and areas frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers during the upcoming holiday season.  In recent months violent attacks have taken place in the states of Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and Yobe, resulting in a number of casualties.  The Nigerian Security Services have heightened security measures in Nigeria as a result of threats posed by extremist groups and U.S. citizens should expect additional police and military checkpoints, additional security, and possible road blocks throughout the country during the holiday season.

The U.S. Mission also reminds all U.S. citizens in Nigeria that the Nigerian Government has declared Monday, December 26, Tuesday, December 27, 2011, and Monday, January 2, 2012, as public holidays.  Please be advised that the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the U.S. Consulate in Lagos will close in observance of these holidays.

All U.S. citizens should review their personal security plans, remain aware of their surroundings, including local events, 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.  U.S. citizens should remain vigilant at all times.  For additional safety and security information, please refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad."

You can stay in touch and get Embassy updates by checking the U.S. Mission to Nigeria web site.  You can also get 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 can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States, or for callers outside the United States 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).

If you are going to live in or travel to Nigeria, please take the time to tell us about your trip 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 get in touch with you in an emergency.  You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up to date.  It is important during enrollment or updating of information to include your current phone number and current email address where you can be reached 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 after-hours emergencies, at +234 (9) 461-4000, or via email at U.S. Embassy ConsularAbuja@state.gov.  The hours of operations are Monday - Thursday 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM and Friday 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM.

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 after-hours emergencies at +234 (1) 460-3600 or +234 (1) 460-3400, or via email at LagosACS@state.gov.  The hours of operations are Monday - Thursday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Friday 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM.