The United States Embassy in Nigeria has issued a travel advisory and security alert on possible protests to its citizens ahead of the 2023 election.
The Embassy also advised American citizens in Nigeria to have three days of food and water at home in case movement restrictions are extended beyond election days.
In the notice titled, ‘Security Alert – Possible Protests Leading to Elections and Restricted Movements on Election Days’, the Embassy advised its nationals to avoid rallies as “they can turn violent with little or no notice”.
“The Government of Nigeria will restrict the movement of all personal vehicles on election days across the country,” it read in part.
“Information from the Government of Nigeria indicates that only law enforcement personnel and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)-accredited election observers will be allowed to move freely along the roads.”
“Based on past election practice, we anticipate personal vehicles will be blocked from any and all attempted road movement from 00:00 until 18:00 February 25 and 00:00 until 18:00 March 11.
“Please be advised that movement restrictions may be extended at any time. Be alert to Government of Nigeria information about the restrictions.”
Also a travel advisory alert, read;
“Violent crime – such as armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage taking, banditry, and rape – is common throughout the country.
“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 centres, 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 low-level armed militancy in parts of Southern Nigeria, especially in the Niger Delta region. Armed criminality, including kidnapping and maritime crime, is also pervasive in this region.
“Violence can flare up between communities of farmers and herders in rural areas. The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Nigeria due to security conditions.”
Americans were also warned against travelling to “Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa states due to terrorism and kidnapping, stressing that they should avoid “Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara states due to kidnapping.
“Coastal areas of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt) due to crime, kidnapping, and maritime crime”
