Twenty of the Nigerian’s 36 states have been announced to be unsafe by the United States. Yobe, Adamawa and Borno are included in the list and Americans are warned these to be a complete no-go area.
The Fulani herdsmen have lately increased killing of farmers and villagers in the Adamawa state where as the Boko Haram militant group too has renewed attacks in the Borno state.
In the latest travel warning the US government has urged its citizens living in Nigeria to stay away from the listed states as the US Mission ability to provide assistance remains severely limited there.
The Department of State added several states run the risk of kidnappings, robberies and other armed attacks. Those are Bauchi, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
US citizens are also warned from traveling to Gulf of Guinea saying there is risk of threat of piracy.
The travel of US officials too has been restricted to the listed states and for any emergency visit an advance clearance by the US Mission is required.
Even though only 20 states have been listed as unsafe, but kidnappings are taking place throughout Nigeria. Besides, separatist groups have also staged demonstration in states like Lagos, Imo, Delta and Bayelsa too.
In recent years attacks by pirates have been increased off the coast of Nigeria in the Gulf of Guinea. Usually armed gangs board commercial as well as private vessels to rob travelers.
