US warns citizens against travelling to particularly 17 states
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Washington has warned American citizens against travelling to Nigeria, particularly 17 states, because of insecurity – ignoring assurances of safety given by President Bola Tinubu, and despite the recent visit of Wally Adeyemo.
The warning came two days after the visit of the United States Deputy Treasury Secretary who disclosed in Lagos he came to strengthen US-Nigeria trade relations.
America told its citizens to reconsider travelling to Nigeria due to increased risk of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed gangs in the country, according to an updated travel advisory the US State Department issued on September 20.
The advisory included a strict “do not travel” to Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and Adamawa States due to terrorism and kidnapping; and Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States due to kidnapping.
It also warned against travelling to Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers States (with the exception of Port Harcourt) due to crime, kidnapping, and armed gangs.
The US placed the states on Level 4 – the highest risk category – and warned security in the states is fluid and unpredictable due to widespread terrorist activity, inter-communal violence, and kidnapping; and security operations to counter these threats may occur without warning.
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Abuja, Lagos, 17 other states excluded from travel warning
The advisory carpets 18 states but excludes Lagos, 17 other states, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), per The Guardian.
“Violent crime – such as armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage taking, roadside banditry, and rape – is common throughout the country,” the advisory said.
“Kidnappings for ransom occur frequently, often targeting dual national citizens who have returned to Nigeria for a visit, as well as U.S. citizens with perceived wealth. Kidnapping gangs have also stopped victims on interstate roads.
“Terrorists continue plotting and carrying out attacks in Nigeria. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting shopping centers, malls, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants, bars, schools, government installations, transportation hubs, and other places where crowds gather. Terrorists are known to work with local gangs to expand their reach.
“There is civil unrest and armed gangs in parts of Southern Nigeria, especially in the Niger Delta and Southeast regions; and armed criminality and gangs, including kidnapping and assaults on Nigerian security services is also pervasive in this region. Violence can flare up between communities of farmers and herders in rural areas.”
The US State Department last issued an travel advisory on August 2 against Niger Republic, citing the military coup on July 26 which deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, placed him on house arrest, and led to the immediate evacuation of non-emergency US government employees from the country.
A previous US travel alert on Nigeria was on January 20 when it updated its advisory to Level 3 – Reconsider Travel.
The latest one on September 20 cautioned Americans the Nigerian government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in many parts of Nigeria due to poor security conditions.
Come home and invest, Tinubu tells diaspora Nigerians
Tinubu, nonetheless, advised diaspora Nigerians in the US to rise beyond failure by adopting a new mentality for success in all areas of life when he addressed them in New York on Wednesday evening after the 78th United Nations General Assembly in the city.
The town hall was organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
“I want to give you a message that will resonate with you. I was once a diasporan. What you have been through, I have been through it. Change of mindset is necessary. Take it this night that Nigeria is home for business opportunities,” Tinubu said.
“Also, anywhere you stay, there is always going to be an opportunity, and in everything you do, there is always going to be an opportunity, if you know how to search and put your mind into it.
“You are lucky to be among those who are celebrated for good manners and behavior and are operating in an acceptable manner.
“I’m very proud of you; I have also been a source of inspiration, determination, commitment and perseverance and that is all you need to get through.
“But we need you back home, Nigeria has arrived; forget the frustration of the previous year’s leadership.”
‘Entrepreneurial spirit’ makes Nigerian market ‘totally unique’
Tinubu also gave an assurance to prospective investors of the determination of his administration to adopt fiscal and regulatory measures to ensure the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
He reiterated at the Nigeria-US Executive Business Roundtable he knows investment capital is cowardly in nature, which was why he brought successful Nigerian industrialists to share their experiences, and public officials to share their operational plans.
He stressed: “Nigeria is an opportunity that is impossible to replicate or find elsewhere in any part of the world. We have brilliant young people who both innovate and consume at a large scale.
“Our entrepreneurial spirit is a major part of what makes our market totally unique, aside from demography. Nigerians build businesses and Nigerian businesses partner with other businesses to conduct larger business.
“There is enough value to spread around. Be careful of what you hear about Nigeria. You may be dissuaded out of a major opportunity that others will take up.
“We are here for you. We will give you all the support you need to succeed and succeed abundantly.”