US TO CITIZENS: DON’T VISIT BAYELSA, DELTA, EDO, SEVEN OTHERS

The United States has banned all its citizens from travelling to 10 states in Nigeria during the Yuletide – no thanks to insecurity.

The states are: Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Plateau, Gombe, Yobe, Kaduna, Bauchi, Borno, and Kano states.

The United States has also restricted its officials from visiting all the 19 Northern states and directed the officials to obtain clearance if the mission is essential.

It, besides, alleged that there is increasing attacks on commercial and private vessels by pirates off the coast of Nigeria in the Gulf of Guinea with the Nigerian Navy lacking the capacity to check the menace.

The US said it decided to take the step because the security situation in Nigeria “remains fluid and unpredictable”.

These observations are contained in the latest travel warning by the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the US Department of State.

The latest advisory has replaced the last one which was issued June 21.

The advisory reads in part: “The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Nigeria, particularly during the holiday season, and continues to recommend that U.S. citizens avoid all but essential travel to the following states because of the risk of kidnappings, robberies, and other armed attacks: Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Plateau, Gombe, Yobe, Kaduna, Bauchi, Borno, and Kano states.

“The Department also warns against travel to the Gulf of Guinea because of the threat of piracy.

“Based on safety and security risk assessments, the Embassy has placed further restrictions for travel by U.S. officials to all northern Nigerian states (in addition to those listed above); officials must receive advance clearance by the U.S. Mission for travel as being mission-essential.

“U.S. citizens should be aware that, in light of the continuing violence, extremists may expand their operations beyond northern Nigeria to the country’s middle and southern states. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning for Nigeria dated June 21, 2012.

“Kidnappings continue to be a security concern that exists throughout the country. In the first six months of 2012, five foreign nationals, including two U.S. citizens, were kidnapped in Kwara, Imo, Enugu, Delta, and Kano states.

“Criminals or militants have abducted foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens from offshore and land-based oil facilities, residential compounds, and public roadways. Nine foreign nationals have died in connection with these abductions, including three who were killed by their captors during military-led raids.

“Local authorities and expatriate businesses operating in Nigeria assert that the number of kidnapping incidents throughout Nigeria is underreported.”

The US also gave its verdict on the increasing crime rate nationwide and alleged slow or no response of law enforcement agencies.

The advisory added: “Crime is a risk throughout the country. U.S. citizen visitors and residents have experienced armed muggings, assaults, burglaries, car-jackings, rapes, kidnappings, and extortion.

“Home invasions also remain a serious threat, with armed robbers accessing even guarded compounds by scaling perimeter walls, following residents or visitors or subduing guards to gain entry to homes or apartments.

“Armed robbers in Lagos have also accessed waterfront compounds by boat. U.S. citizens, as well as Nigerians and other expatriates, have been victims of armed robbery at banks and grocery stores and on airport roads during both daylight and evening hours.

“Law enforcement authorities usually respond slowly or not at all and provide little or no investigative support to victims. U.S. citizens, Nigerians, and other expatriates have experienced harassment and shakedowns at checkpoints and during encounters with Nigerian law enforcement officials. “Traveling outside of major cities after dark is not recommended because of both crime and road safety concerns.”

The US also took note of the current attacks on telecommunications facilities nationwide and how these had impaired security management.

It said: “Beginning in September 2012, extremists attacked cellular telephone towers in Northern Nigeria, damaging over 50 towers and degrading cellular telephone and internet communications nationwide. “Additional attacks could further weaken the ability of citizens to communicate through cellular telephones and the internet.

“Land line telephone communications in Nigeria remain extremely limited. U.S. citizens should attempt to arrange for multiple means of communication during emergencies.

“The situation in the country remains fluid and unpredictable. The U.S. Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens in Nigeria to consider their own personal security and to keep personal safety in the forefront of their planning.

“U.S. citizens who travel to or reside in Nigeria are strongly advised to enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.”

The Department of State identified Boko Haram as having accounted for attacks in the Northern part.

The document said: “In 2012, Boko Haram claimed responsibility for many attacks, mainly in northern Nigeria.

“Boko Haram is responsible for killing or wounding thousands of people. Multiple Suicide Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Devices (SVBIED) targeted churches, government installations, educational institutions, and entertainment venues in Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, Taraba, and Yobe states.

“On October 1, 2012, more than 50 students were killed in attacks in Adamawa State. Several drinking establishments were attacked in Bauchi, Taraba, and Kaduna in September and October 2012. Churches were targeted in Bauchi, Kaduna, and Kogi in July and August 2012.

“There were also attacks against police stations and markets in Sokoto in July 2012. From July 6 to 8, sectarian violence claimed over 100 lives in the Jos metropolitan area and villages in Plateau State. In July, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded in the parking lot of an Abuja shopping center, and in June, an IED exploded outside a nightclub in Abuja. The June 17, 2012, attacks on three churches in the state of Kaduna led to violence throughout the state.

“At least 10 people were killed and an additional 78 injured in the ensuing riots, as groups barricaded roads, burned mosques, and used machetes to attack and kill.”

“ In response to the violence, the Kaduna state government imposed a 24-hour curfew and deployed additional security forces to restore peace; however, violence between Christians and Muslims continued throughout the week. In April, assailants attacked Theatre Hall at Bayero University, Kano, with IEDs and weapons. Also in April, VBIEDs simultaneously exploded at the offices of “This Day” newspaper in Abuja and Kaduna.

“Boko Haram also claimed credit for the June 2011 bombing of the Nigerian Police Headquarters building and the August 2011 suicide bombing at the United Nations building, both in Abuja.”

The US raised issues on the alleged increasing attacks on commercial and private vessels by pirates off the coast of Nigeria in the Gulf of Guinea with Nigerian Navy lacking the capacity to check the menace.

It said: “Attacks by pirates off the coast of Nigeria in the Gulf of Guinea have increased in recent years.

“Armed gangs have boarded both commercial and private vessels to rob travelers. The Nigerian Navy has limited capacity to respond to criminal acts at sea.”

Source: The Nation