The United States Government has issued a fresh travel advisory warning its citizens against visiting Rivers and 10 other Nigerian states, citing widespread insecurity, terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crime.
In a statement posted on its travel advisory website, the US urged citizens to avoid Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa due to heightened threats of terrorism and kidnapping. It also listed Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara as high-risk areas for kidnapping.
Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states were also flagged due to high levels of crime, frequent kidnappings, and the activities of armed gangs.
“Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed gangs, and inconsistent availability of health care services,” the advisory read. “Violent crime is common throughout the country, including armed robbery, assault, carjacking, hostage-taking, roadside banditry, and rape.”
The US warned that all parts of Nigeria carry significant security risks, urging its nationals to exercise extreme caution.
