Wayzata World Factbook 1994/World Factbook - 1994 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1994).iso/pc/text/txtfiles/nigeria.tvl

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#CARD:Nigeria:Travel\Consular Information
Nigeria - Consular Information Sheet
September 14, 1993

Country Description:  Nigeria, with limited facilities for tourism, poses
considerable risks for travelers.  Violent crime is acute (see the section
on "Information on Crime and Criminal Violence").  Business scams that
target foreigners are also a pervasive problem, and persons contemplating
business deals are requested to check with the U.S. Department of Commerce
or the U.S. Embassy in Lagos before going to Nigeria or making financial
commitments (see the section on "Commercial Fraud").

Entry Requirements:  A passport and a visa are required of U.S. citizens and
all other foreigners.  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 visas, that they entered Nigeria legally.
Evidence of yellow fever and cholera vaccinations are also required.
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 [phone], 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 increasingly 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.  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.  There have been many reports of
extortion by law enforcement and immigration officials at Nigeria's
airports.  Upon arrival in Nigeria, U.S. citizens are requested to register
at the U.S. Embassy in Lagos or the U.S. Consulate in Kaduna, 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 continuing problem of the past few years is the
commercial scam or sting that targets foreigners, including a significant
number of U.S. citizens.  These scams could involve U.S. citizens in illegal
activity, resulting in extortion or bodily harm.  The scams generally
involve either outright money transfers or lucrative sales or contracts
purporting to involve large sums of money and promises of large commissions
for up-front 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.  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:  In the region of Wukari (local government area of
Taraba State) near the Benue State border (approximately 150 miles southeast
of the city of Jos), there are reports of numerous deaths resulting from
violent clashes between local groups over long-standing land disputes.
Travelers have been stopped and attacked at random.  Information on current
conditions in that region may be obtained from the U.S. Embassy at Lagos,
the Consulate General at Kaduna and/or local Nigerian government authorities.

Civil Unrest:  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 and parts of the State of Kaduna.
There has been recent 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 recent disturbances, they and their
vehicles could be inadvertently caught up in a demonstration or riot.

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.  Malaria, including 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 proved to be useful.  Information on health matters can be
obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers
hotline, telephone [phone].

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.  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.

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 may 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 or at
the U.S. Consulate General in Kaduna 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 largest city in Nigeria.  The telephone number is (234-
1) 261-0050.  There is a U.S. Consulate General in Kaduna at 9 Maska Road,
telephone [phone], 235-991 or 235-992.

No. 93-244

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated July 1, 1993, to cancel
the Travel Warning and to advise of the suspension of direct air services
between the U.S. and Nigeria.

#ENDCARD