UK, U.S. Caution Citizens In Nigeria, Declare Parts Of Abuja, 19 States ‘No Go Areas’

U.S. says crimes in Nigeria are endemic throughout the country The United States Embassy in Nigeria has warned its citizens in Nigeria against travelling to some areas of the nation’s capital Abuja just as the United Kingdom (UK) has declared 19 States of the federation as “no go areas” for its citizens resident in the country. The States include Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. The States in which citizens of Western nations should be cautious in travelling to include Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, within 20km of the border with Niger in Kebbi State, Abia and non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Plateau, and Taraba. The new travelling adversary came amid the Boko Haram terrorists’ sack of the Kuje Medium Security Prison where they freed hundreds of inmates including all their 64 terror comrades being held in the prison. The US Embassy, in a statement titled ‘Abuja FCT prison break near the airport on July 5, 2022,’ described crimes in Nigeria as endemic throughout the country. According to the Embassy: “On the night of July 5, 2022, an attack on Kuje Prison freed a large portion of the estimated 1,000 prisoners. The prison lies approximately 27 miles southwest of the Central Business District. “An increase in crime is expected in and around Abuja. It is recommended that U.S. citizens should maintain a high state of personal security awareness for the next two weeks and avoid unnecessary travel on the airport road. “Crime is endemic throughout Nigeria and tends to spike after dark. Avoiding locations and situations that increase the likelihood of being victimized is the best defence. Avoid displays of valuables and limit nighttime activity. “Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack –including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to target crowds more effectively. Frequently, their aim is focused on unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as: “High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.), hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists, places of worship, schools, parks, shopping malls and markets and public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights). “Actions to take: Be aware of your surroundings, Keep a low profile, carry proper identification, monitor local media for updates, review your personal security plans, always drive with your windows rolled up and the doors locked, and avoid large gatherings and protests, review alternative travel routes in case of unexpected protests or unrest, exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests, always keep the doors to your residence locked, even when at home.”