WARDEN MESSAGES

Warden Message

March 16, 2009

The following message is being issued jointly by the U.S. Embassy Abuja and U.S. Consulate General Lagos for American citizens in Nigeria.

This warden message is being issued to inform American citizens in Nigeria that as a result of recent incidents of violence in the city of Jos, Plateau State and in Bauchi State, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria has updated its official travel policy for U.S. government employees.  Effective immediately, travel to and through the greater Jos area is limited to official travel; while travel to Plateau State (other than the Jos area) and to Bauchi State is permitted for official and unofficial purposes with the permission of the security office.  Any travel by U.S. government personnel within Nigeria, whether for official or unofficial purposes, is subject to approval by the security office.  

There may be additional acts of isolated communal violence that could erupt quickly and without warning. Therefore we continue to advise all Americans to review their security procedures, remain vigilant to their surroundings, monitor local news stations for updates, and report specific incidences of targeted violence to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the U. S. Consulate General in Lagos at the numbers below.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs internet website at http://travel.state.gov/, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings can be found.  Up to date information on 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 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. Federal Holidays.)  

U.S. Embassy Abuja is located at Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District, Abuja; the local number is 09-461-4000.  If you are calling from the United States, please dial 011 (234) (9) 461-4000. E-Mail: ConsularAbuja@state.gov.   The U.S. Consulate General Lagos is located at 2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos; the local number is 01-460-3400.  E-Mail: lagosACS@state.gov.  The U.S. Mission Nigeria Internet Website:  http://nigeria.usembassy.gov