Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:747 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Path: world!daemon From: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Nigeria Message-ID: <950619154814_76702.1202_CHN85-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: daemon@world.std.com (daemons) Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Mon, 19 Jun 1995 15:48:14 GMT Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 239 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Nigeria ============================================================ Nigeria-Travel Warning June 5, 1995 Warning: The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Nigeria. Violent crime, practiced by persons in police and military uniforms, as well as by ordinary criminals, is an acute problem. Harassment and shake-downs of foreigners and Nigerians alike by uniformed personnel and others occur frequently throughout the country. Business, charity and other scams target foreigners worldwide and pose dangers of financial loss and physical harm. Persons contemplating business deals are strongly urged to check with the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce before providing any information, making any financial commitments or traveling to Nigeria. Under no circumstances should American citizens travel to Nigeria without a valid visa. Invitation to enter Nigeria without a visa is normally indicative of illegal activity. No. 95-018 Nigeria-Consular Information Sheet June 16, 1995 Warning: The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Nigeria. Violent crime, practiced by persons in police and military uniforms, as well as by ordinary criminals, is an acute problem. Harassment and shake-downs of foreigners and Nigerians alike by uniformed personnel and others occur frequently throughout the country. Business, charity and other scams target foreigners worldwide and pose dangers of financial loss and physical harm. Persons contemplating business deals are strongly urged to check with the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce before providing any information, making any financial commitments or traveling to Nigeria. Under no circumstances should American citizens travel to Nigeria without a valid visa. Invitation to enter Nigeria without a visa is normally indicative of illegal activity. 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 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 traveling to Nigeria or making financial commitments (see paragraph on Commercial Fraud). Entry Requirements: A passport and a visa are required. Evidence of yellow fever and cholera vaccinations is 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 airport tax is required upon departure. Current information on entry requirements may 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 to crimes slowly, if at all, 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 airports and throughout Nigeria, there have been isolated but troubling reports of violent attacks by purported government officials on Americans and other foreigners. The Nigerian government 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 urged 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 to 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 is the commercial scam or sting that targets foreigners, including many 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 or 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 Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management, Room 4811, 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 U.S. Embassy is concerned by reports that maintenance and operational procedures for Nigerian airlines may not be adequate to ensure passenger safety. Periodic strikes may also affect flight scheduling and raise additional concerns about the reliability and safety of Nigerian aviation. The section "Information on Crime and Criminal Violence" provides information concerning crime at airports. Areas of Instability: Nigeria has experienced civil unrest, violence and strikes. 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. There has been an increase in the number of unauthorized automobile checkpoints. These checkpoints are operated by bands of police, soldiers, or bandits posing as or operating with police or soldiers, whose personnel should be considered armed and dangerous. Many incidents, including murder, illustrate the increasing risks of road travel in Nigeria. Reports of threats against firms and foreign workers in the petroleum sector recur from time to time. 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 targetted 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. Early June (prior to and during the week of the June 12 anniversary of the 1993 annulled presidential election) is a time to be especially mindful of security concerns, to exercise particular caution and to avoid public gatherings. Medical Facilities: A variety of diseases pose a serious health threat. The public is not always informed in a timely manner about outbreaks of typhoid, cholera and yellow fever. Hepatitis and malaria, including potentially fatal cerebral malaria, 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 card fraud in Nigeria, as well as credit card fraud 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 often difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish. The government of Nigeria has fixed an artificially high 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. 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. 95-071 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated July 20, 1994, to include the Travel Warning issued June 5, 1995, and to add information in the paragraphs on Airport Safety and Areas of Instability. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. To unsubscribe, send a message containing the word "unsubscribe" to: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL: "http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher: gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories