WARDEN MESSAGES

United States Mission Nigeria

Warden Message: Travel Safety in Nigeria

July 13, 2009

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

This warden message is being issued to warn all U.S. citizens of the continuing risks of travel in southern and southeastern Nigeria.  On June 29, 2009, a U.S. citizen was kidnapped from a vehicle on the Izombe-Owerri road in Imo State.  The U.S. Government worked with appropriate Nigerian authorities to ensure the individual’s welfare, who, fortunately, was released unharmed several days later.

Kidnappings of Nigerian and foreign national citizens continue to occur.  Individuals have been kidnapped from off-shore and land-based oil facilities, residential compounds, and public roadways.  These incidents have occurred in several parts of Nigeria.  U.S. citizens in Nigeria are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. 

The Department of State continues to recommend that U.S. citizens avoid all but essential travel to the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers.  The U.S. Mission adheres to a strict travel policy that requires advance permission of travel for U.S. government officials to the following states:  Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom in the Niger Delta, and Abia, Edo and Imo in the southeast.  Periodically, travel by U.S. mission personnel is restricted in certain parts of Nigeria based on changing security conditions, often due to crime, general strikes, or student/political demonstrations or disturbances.

U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the US Mission’s website at http://nigeria.usembassy.gov/, the U.S. Department of State’s at http://www.state.gov, and the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website at http://www.travel.state.gov , where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts and Country Specific Information can be found.  The U.S. Mission in Nigeria encourages U.S. Citizens to review “A Safe Trip Abroad” found at http:travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety_1747.html, which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad.  In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria also strongly encourages U.S. citizens to register or update their information at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/registration/registration_1186.html.  Please include your current phone number and current email address where you can be reached in case of an emergency.

U.S. Embassy Abuja is located at Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District, Abuja; the local number during and after business hours 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 during and after business hours is 01-460-3400.  E-Mail: LagosACS@state.gov.