The United States has again warned American citizens of the risks of travel to Nigeria, with particular to Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers, Abia, Edo and Imo States.
Other areas involved in the advisory, dated October 13, 2011, are Jos, Plateau State, Bauchi and Borno States; and the Gulf of Guinea.
The US attributes the advisory to "the risks of kidnapping, robbery, and other armed attacks" in the areas concerned. www.mannastores.com
"Violent crime committed by individuals and gangs, as well as by persons wearing police and military uniforms, remains a problem throughout the country," the notice says.
The advisory recalls the suicide bombing at the UN Headquarters in Abuja on August 26 in which 23 people were killed, the one at the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters 10 weeks earlier, as well as bombings in Maiduguri, Suleja, and Jos in 2010.
The notice dwells on the risk of attaks to Western targets, the Boko Haram miltancy, and the menace of kidnapping.
The new US travel warning replaces the last one, dated October 19, 2010. It is a reflection of the general insecurity in most of Nigeria, where nationals have little or no protection from local crime.
The warning comes as the government of President Goodluck Jonathan has resorted to criticising its critics for refusing to recognize its "achievements." At one point recently, Jonathan boasted that Nigerians ought to respect his governance because President Barack Obama of the US has "praised" him. It is sobering that the same US is now warning its citizens to steer clear of Nigeria on account of the inability of President Jonathan to maintain safety and security in the country.
On October 1,President Jonathan moved the National Day celebrations away from Eagle Square to Aso Rock, following a warning of possible bombing by Niger Delta militants. It was the first in peace time in the country. Also last week, he moved a scheduledgovernment activity all the way from Akwa Ibom Stateto Abuja, and into the presidential palace.
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