

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL ADVISORY - Nigeria
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NIGERIA - CAUTION
  June 24, 1992

Summary:  The Department of State advises U.S. citizens of the
possibility of civil unrest in parts of Nigeria, such as occurred in
May in Lagos and Kaduna.  In addition, there are an increasing
number of sophisticated, fraudulent commercial schemes originating
in Nigeria.  Such schemes may lead to physical danger and frequently
involve the offer of illegal entry into Nigeria without a visa.
First-time commercial travelers to Nigeria should contact their
district office of the U.S. Department of Commerce before traveling
to Nigeria.  Street crime continues to be a problem, and health
hazards are ever-present.  U.S. citizens are advised that
spontaneous civil disturbances have occurred and could recur.  End
Summary.

Most U.S. citizens who travel through Nigeria do so without
incident.  However, a major new development in the past year is the
commercial scam or sting that targets foreigners, including a
significant number of U.S. citizens.  Those not familiar with doing
business in Nigeria should be hesitant about responding to
unsolicited offers.  These scams are usually both fraudulent and
illegal, and could involve U.S. citizens in illegal activity,
resulting in extortion or bodily harm.  The ability of U.S. Embassy
officers to extricate Americans from unlawful business deals is
extremely limited, and police may not always inform the U.S. Embassy
of an American citizen in distress.  Travelers should also be wary
of offers of either outright money transfers or lucrative sales or
contracts purporting to involve large sums of money and promises of
large commissions for upfront payments.  Alleged contracts
frequently invoke the authority of a ministry or office of the
Nigerian government, and may even cite the support of a Nigerian
government official by name.  When planning a trip to Nigeria,
first-time commercial travelers should consult with the nearest U.S.
office of the U.S. Department of Commerce or upon entry into
Nigeria, the U.S. Embassy in Lagos or the U.S. Consulate General in
Kaduna.

U.S. citizens and all other foreigners are required to have visas.
Frequently, the perpetrators of fraudulent commercial schemes will
attempt to entice the foreign traveler to enter Nigeria without a
visa.  Furthermore, U.S. citizens cannot legally depart Nigeria
unless they can prove, by presenting their visa, that they entered
legally.

U.S. citizens also need to be alert to street crime.  Airports are
specifically targeted by criminals, and travelers should be alert to
pickpockets or persons posing as officials who offer assistance and
then disappear with travelers' passports and/or baggage.  Wherever
possible, travelers should arrange to be met upon arrival by travel
agents, family members or friends.

Those going to live in Nigeria should be aware of the high
incidence of residential break-ins and should take appropriate
security precautions.  Roadblocks occur at frequent intervals and
individuals stopped at roadblocks have reported requests for
unlawful payments or other types of intimidation or harassment.

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.  Malaria, including cerebral malaria, and
hepatitis are endemic and proper precautions should be taken.

Nigeria, like many other countries, has experienced civil unrest
and violence from time to time.  The causes and locations vary.
Outbreaks of such violence occurred most recently in the Lagos area,
parts of Kaduna state, and a few other locations.  There has been
labor unrest in various parts of the country and flare-ups in
various local markets.  Although U.S. citizens are not specifically
targeted and were not involved in these disturbances, they and their
vehicles could be inadvertently caught up in a demonstration or
riot.  Elections for state offices took place in December 1991;
legislative elections are scheduled for July 4, 1992, and
presidential elections are scheduled for December 5, 1992.  As this
electoral process could see heightened tensions, travelers should
check with the U.S. Embassy in Lagos or the Consulate General in
Kaduna regarding dates, locations and any specific guidance that may
be relevant.

Travelers should refrain from taking photographs of government
buildings, airports, bridges, or official-looking buildings without
the express permission of the host government's security personnel.
Credit cards are rarely accepted in Nigeria.  Travelers should bring
sufficient travelers checks or currency to cover their needs while
visiting the country.  Interbank transfers are frequently difficult,
if not impossible, to accomplish.

All U.S. citizens are strongly urged to register immediately upon
arrival in Nigeria with either the U.S. Embassy in Lagos, 2 Eleke
Crescent, telephone 610097; fax  635397 or the U.S. Consulate
General in Kaduna, 2 Maska Road, telephone 201070.

 No. 92-133

This replaces the travel advisory issued May 13, 1992, lifts the
warning to defer non-essential travel to Lagos, and advises U.S.
citizens of the possibility of localized disturbances.


