Avoid Nigeria

An extremist group in Nigeria known as Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for many attacks, mainly in the north, which have killed or wounded thousands of people during the past three years. Churches, government installations, educational institutions and entertainment venues were targeted using vehicle-borne explosive devices.

Back in December 2011, the president of Nigeria declared states of emergency, including curfews, in 15 local government areas in the states of Borno, Niger, Plateau and Yobe. On May 14, 2013, in response to intensifying violence between extremists and government forces, the president extended states of emergency throughout Borno and Yobe and added Adamawa state.

The US Department of State recommends avoiding all travel to those states and continues to recommend against all but essential travel to the states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Rivers, Sokoto and Zamfara. Since the beginning of 2013, several high-profile kidnappings have occurred in Nigeria. Violent crimes occur throughout the country.