Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:502 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Path: world!compuserve.COM!76702.1202 From: 76702.1202@compuserve.COM (Wally Doerge) Subject: ALL: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Nigeria Message-ID: <940721144311_76702.1202_CHN59-1@CompuServe.COM> Sender: daemon@world.std.com (World Mail) Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Thu, 21 Jul 1994 14:43:11 GMT Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 185 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Nigeria ============================================================ Nigeria - Consular Informatin Sheet July 20, 1994 Country Description: Nigeria, with limited facilities for tourism, poses considerable risks for travelers. Violent crime is acute (see paragraph on crime and criminal violence). Business scams that target foreigners are also a pervasive problem, and persons contemplating business deals are strongly urged to check with the U.S. Department of Commerce or the U.S. Embassy in Lagos before providing any information, traveling to Nigeria or making financial commitments (see paragraph on commercial fraud). Closing of Consulate: The Consulate General in Kaduna ceased operations on July 15, 1994. Consular services for all of Nigeria are available only at the U.S. Embassy in Lagos, pending the opening of a consular section at the U.S. office in Abuja, scheduled for October 1994. Entry Requirements: A passport and a visa are required of U.S. citizens and all other foreigners. Evidence of yellow fever and cholera vaccinations are also required. Airport visas are not available. Promises of entry into Nigeria without a visa are credible indicators of a fraudulent commercial scheme in which the perpetrators seek to exploit the foreign traveler's illegal presence in Nigeria with threats of extortion or bodily harm. Furthermore, U.S. citizens cannot legally depart Nigeria unless they can prove, by presenting their entry visas, that they entered Nigeria legally. Payment of 35 U.S. dollars for an airport tax is also required upon departure. Current information on entry requirements can be obtained at the Embassy of the Republic of Nigeria, 2201 M Street, N.W., in Washington, D.C. 20037, telephone (202) 822-1500, or at the Nigerian Consulate General in New York. Information on Crime and Criminal Violence: Violent crime affecting foreigners is an extremely serious problem, especially in Lagos and the southern half of the country. Visitors, as well as resident Americans, report widespread armed muggings, assault, burglary, carjackings and extortion, often involving violence. Carjackings, roadblock robberies and armed break-ins occur often, with victims sometimes shot by assailants for no apparent reason. Reports of armed robberies in broad daylight on rural roads in the northern half of the country appear to be increasing. Law enforcement authorities usually respond slowly, if at all, to crimes and provide little or no investigative support to victims. Pickpockets and confidence artists, some posing as local immigration and other government officials, are especially common at Murtala Muhammad Airport. In addition to harassment and shake-downs of American citizens by officials at Nigerian airports and throughout Nigeria, there have been isolated but troubling reports of violent attacks by purported government officials on Americans and other foreigners. The government of Nigeria has not responded meaningfully to complaints by the American Embassy in Lagos and the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C. concerning these abuses and attacks, nor is there any indication that the officers involved have been disciplined. Upon arrival in Nigeria, U.S. citizens are requested to register at the U.S. Embassy in Lagos where they may obtain current information and advice on minimizing risks. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The pamphlets "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa" provide useful information on protecting personal security while traveling abroad and on travel in the region in general. Both are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Commercial Fraud: A major and continuing problem of the past few years is the commercial scam or sting that targets foreigners, including a significant number of U.S. citizens. Such scams could involve U.S. citizens in illegal activity, resulting in extortion or bodily harm. The scams generally involve phony offers of either outright money transfers or lucrative sales or contracts with promises of large commissions for up-front payments. Alleged deals frequently invoke the authority of one or more ministries or offices of the Nigerian government and may even cite by name the support of a Nigerian government official. The apparent use in some scams of actual government stationery, seals, and offices is grounds for concern that some individual Nigerian officials may be involved in these activities. The ability of U.S. Embassy officers to extricate Americans from unlawful business deals is extremely limited. Nigerian police do not always inform the U.S. Embassy of an American citizen in distress. The Department of Commerce has issued advisories to the U.S. business community on doing business in Nigeria. Both the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Embassy in Lagos can provide business travelers with further details. The Department of State has issued a brochure for business travelers to Nigeria; single copies are available at no charge from the Overseas Citizens Services, Room 4800, Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520-4818. Please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Airport Safety: Due to a lack of effective security measures, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation has ordered that direct air services between the U.S. and the Murtala Muhammad Airport in Lagos be suspended. U.S. travelers may wish to check with their travel agents or the airlines for alternate routing. The section "Information on Crime and Criminal Violence" provides information concerning crime at airports. Areas of Instability: Strikes by oil workers and other union workers have seriously disrupted production and distribution of fuel throughout Nigeria with the greatest impact experienced in Lagos, where electricity, water service and transportation have been disrupted. International air travel has not been affected, but the lack of fuel has disrupted internal commercial aviation. Nigeria experiences civil unrest and violence from time to time. The causes and locations vary. Locations where outbreaks of violence have occurred include the Lagos area, southwestern Nigeria and parts of Delta, Rivers, Plateau and Kaduna states. In addition, Chadian troop incursions have reportedly occurred at the border area in the far northeast, near Lake Chad. Despite labor unrest in various parts of the country and occasional flare-ups in local markets, U.S. citizens have not been specifically targeted in such disturbances. However, they and their vehicles could inadvertently become caught up in a demonstration or riot. Heightened tensions resulting from the delayed process of transition >from military rule to an elected government could result in further unrest and disturbances. Medical Facilities: A variety of diseases poses a serious health threat. The public is not always informed in a timely manner about outbreaks of typhoid, cholera and yellow fever. Malaria, including potentially fatal cerebral malaria, and hepatitis are endemic. Medical facilities are limited; not all medicines are available. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proven useful. Information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline, telephone (404) 332-4559. Photography Restrictions: Permission is required to take photographs of government buildings, airports, bridges or official-looking buildings. Permission may be obtained from Nigerian security personnel. Currency Regulations: Credit cards are rarely accepted in Nigeria, and, because of the prevalence of credit fraud in Nigeria and perpetrated by Nigerians in the U.S., their use is generally ill-advised. It is often necessary to bring travelers checks or currency in a sufficient amount to cover the period of a planned visit. Interbank transfers are frequently difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish. The government of Nigeria has fixed an artificially high official rate for the local currency, the naira (in terms of its value in exchange for foreign currencies). Persons seeking to trade at lower rates on the "black market" could be arrested or shaken down. To avoid problems, U.S. visitors are strongly urged to exchange dollars for local currency only at the official rate and at approved exchange facilities, usually including the major hotels. For further information, visitors may wish to contact the U.S. Embassy. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strictly enforced. Those arrested routinely face prolonged detention before trial, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Registration: U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy in Lagos may obtain updated information on travel and security in Nigeria. Embassy Location: The U.S. Embassy is located at 2 Eleke Crescent, Victoria Island in Lagos. The telephone number is (234) (1) 261-0050. No. 94-131 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated June 7, 1994, to announce the closing of the U.S. Consulate General at Kaduna, to note the increased threat of highway robbery in the northern half of Nigeria; the disruption by organized labor of fuel distribution nationwide and the adverse impact on services in Lagos; and the reported cross-border activities of Chadian troops in northeast Nigeria..