U.S Warns its citizens against travelling to 16 states in Nigeria..

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 The United States has revised its travel alert on Nigeria, warning its citizens against going to 16 states in the country.  The most recent alert, includes the three north eastern states which were under emergency rule after having a presidential declaration on May 14, 2013.  Released on January 8 by the State Department, the US appealed to its citizens in order to avoid all, but essential travels to Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Gombe and Jigawa states.

Another states on the list, that the alert said are susceptible to kidnappings, robberies and other armed attacks are Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara. Abia, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Imo and Rivers states, that have been in a youthful list issued in June, 2013 aren't on the newest travel list.


The world power described the security situation in Nigeria as “fluid and unpredictable,’’ and also warned against travel to the Gulf of Guinea because of the threat of piracy.  The country urged its citizens to be particularly vigilant around “government security facilities, places of worship and locations where large crowds may gather’’.


“Security measures in Nigeria remain heightened due to threats posed by extremist groups.
“Boko Haram, an extremist group based in northeast Nigeria designated as a Foreign Terrorist organisation by the Department of State, has claimed responsibility for many attacks, mainly in northern Nigeria,’’ the statement read.



According to the State Department, the Ansaru group, an offshoot of Boko Haram, has carried out several kidnappings, targeting foreigners in Nigeria.

It noted that the group also claimed responsibility of other violent acts in the past years