US Warns Citizens Against Travelling To 14 Northern States In Nigeria

The United States has declared 14 states
unsafe for its citizens in Nigeria.
According to WorldBulletin, its embassy in
Nigeria advised its citizens to avoid the states
ahead of the 12th anniversary of the
September 11, 2001 attacks on the twin
towers and the World Trade Centre.
"Because of safety and security concerns, the
US mission in Nigeria is enforcing a restricted
travel policy for US Embassy personnel to the
states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe,
Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger,
Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara," the US
Embassy in Nigeria posted on its website on
Sunday.
"US citizens should be mindful of this and
consider taking similar steps when planning
travel," the statement said, adding that, "the
restriction is to prevent American citizens from
being hurt in the event of "spontaneous
demonstrations" that could occur on the 9/11
anniversary.
"Spontaneous demonstrations are also likely to
occur in these and possibly other areas within
Nigeria in response to heightened tensions in
the Middle East, as well as the lead up to
September 11," said the statement.
"US citizens should avoid areas of
demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the
vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or
demonstrations," it added.
US citizens are also instructed, according to
the statement, to remain vigilant around
churches, mosques, other places of worship,
and locations where large crowds may gather,
such as hotels, markets, malls, and other areas
frequented by expatriates and foreign
travellers, particularly as the anniversary of the
September 11 attacks approaches.
The Embassy recommended that American
citizens travelling to or residing in Nigeria
enroll in the Department of State's Smart
Traveller Enrolment Programme (STEP). "STEP
enrolment gives you the latest security
updates, and makes it easier for the US
embassy or nearest US consulate to contact
you in an emergency. If you don't have
Internet access, enrol directly with the nearest
US embassy or consulate," the online
statement added.