Wayzata World Factbook 1995/World Factbook - 1995 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1995).iso/mac/text/Build/tvltxt/NIGERIA.TVL

Text File | 1994-12-07 | 10KB | 166 lines

Nigeria - Consular Informatin Sheet
July 20, 1994

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
also 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 providing any information, traveling to Nigeria or
making financial commitments (see paragraph on commercial fraud).

Closing of Consulate:  The Consulate General in Kaduna ceased operations on
July 15, 1994.  Consular services for all of Nigeria are available only at
the U.S. Embassy in Lagos, pending the opening of a consular section at the
U.S. office in Abuja, scheduled for October 1994.

Entry Requirements:  A passport and a visa are required of U.S. citizens and
all other foreigners.  Evidence of yellow fever and cholera vaccinations are
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 for an airport tax is also required upon
departure.  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 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 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.

In addition to harassment and shake-downs of American citizens by officials
at Nigerian airports and throughout Nigeria, there have been isolated but
troubling reports of violent attacks by purported government officials on
Americans and other foreigners.  The government of Nigeria 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 requested 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 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 of the past few years is
the commercial scam or sting that targets foreigners, including a
significant number of 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 for 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 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:  Strikes by oil workers and other union workers have
seriously disrupted production and distribution of fuel throughout Nigeria
with the greatest impact experienced in Lagos, where electricity, water
service and transportation have been disrupted.  International air travel
has not been affected, but the lack of fuel has disrupted internal
commercial aviation.

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, southwestern Nigeria and parts of Delta, Rivers,
Plateau and Kaduna states.  In addition, 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 targeted 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.

Medical Facilities:  A variety of diseases poses a serious health threat.
The public is not always informed in a timely manner about outbreaks of
typhoid, cholera and yellow fever.  Malaria, including potentially fatal
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 proven 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, and,
because of the prevalence of credit fraud in Nigeria and perpetrated 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 frequently
difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish.  The government of Nigeria has
fixed an artificially high official 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.  To avoid problems, 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. 94-131

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated June 7, 1994, to announce
the closing of the U.S. Consulate General at Kaduna, to note the increased
threat of highway robbery in the northern half of Nigeria; the disruption by
organized labor of fuel distribution nationwide and the adverse impact on
services in Lagos; and the reported cross-border activities of Chadian
troops in northeast Nigeria..