Although it approved travel to other parts, it urged its
citizens to “Reconsider travel to Nigeria”.
The updated advisory, U.S. State Department added at least
116 countries this week to its “Level Four: Do Not Travel” advisory list.
The UK, Canada, France, Israel, Mexico, Germany and others
are on the list, citing a “very high level of COVID-19.”
Before Tuesday, the State Department listed 34 out of about
200 countries as “Do Not Travel.” The State Department now lists 150 countries
at Level Four.
Nigeria is categorised as Level 3.
Unlike countries categorised as Level 4, based on the advice
of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nigeria has a good
rating on COVID-19 prevalence.
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has
issued a Level 1 Travel Health Notice for Nigeria due to COVID-19, indicating a
low level of COVID-19 in the country”, the State Department said.
It then listed areas the American visitor should avoid,
while in Nigeria.
These are: Borno, Yobe, and northern Adamawa states due to
terrorism and kidnapping, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara
states due to kidnapping.
It also banned American citizens from going to 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.
In a country summary on Nigeria, the U.S. State Department
wrote:
“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, especially in the Northeast.
“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 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.
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