Cheap car rentals in Nigeria - Safety and Security

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Safety and Security

SAFETY AND SECURITY: Parts of Nigeria regularly experience localized civil unrest and violence. The causes and locations vary. States where outbreaks of violence have occurred in the past year include Abuja, Lagos, Oyo, Plateau, Enugu, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Ondo, Benue, and Kaduna.

While the Government of Nigeria has authorized vehicle checkpoints to mitigate crime, unauthorized checkpoints continue to be a problem throughout Nigeria.

In the oil-producing region of the Niger River Delta, resident U.S. citizens and other foreigners have frequently been threatened and held hostage during labor disputes. While the U.S. Government will do everything possible to assist in the safe release of all hostages, it is vital that U.S. citizens resident in this area review their employer's security information and contingency plans. Tourists risk being mistaken for residents and should exercise caution. Throughout 2002-03 there were a number of occupations of U.S. oil company facilities and ships in the Niger Delta region; in at least three of the incidents, groups of women were involved in peaceful takeovers to help gain jobs and community investment from the oil companies. Inter-ethnic fighting continues to be a problem in and around Warri city, located in the Niger River Delta. Due to fighting between ethnic groups in the region, the Consulate in Lagos recommends that American citizen travelers review their itineraries and avoid travel to Warri. Official U.S. Government personnel travel in the region is limited to essential travel only.

U.S. citizen employees of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos are required to notify their security officer if traveling outside the city of Abuja or outside of Victoria, Ikoyi or Lagos Island. In addition, the Consulate advises its employees to take security precautions when visiting Lagos Island or mainland Lagos after dark. Consulate employees travel in armored vehicles between the islands and Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

There exists little anti-U.S. sentiment among Nigerians. However, there have been several demonstrations against U.S. policy in the Middle East. U.S. citizens should avoid large crowds and maintain security awareness at all times.