LAGOS - By Rafiu Ajakaye
The United States has advised American citizens to avoid 14 states in Nigeria's Muslim-dominated North, ahead of the twelfth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the twin towers and the World Trade Centre.
"Because of safety and security concerns, the US mission in Nigeria is enforcing a restricted travel policy for US Embassy personnel to the states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara," the US Embassy in Nigeria posted on its website Sunday.
"US citizens should be mindful of this and consider taking similar steps when planning travel," added the online statement.
The embassy said the restriction is to prevent American citizens from being hurt in the event of "spontaneous demonstrations" that could occur on the 9/11 anniversary.
"Spontaneous demonstrations are also likely to occur in these and possibly other areas within Nigeria in response to heightened tensions in the Middle East, as well as the lead up to September 11," said the statement.
"US citizens should avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations," it added.
"US citizens should also remain vigilant around churches, mosques, other places of worship, and locations where large crowds may gather, such as hotels, markets, malls, and other areas frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers, particularly as the anniversary of the September 11 attacks approaches."
The Embassy recommended that American citizens traveling to or residing in Nigeria enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
"STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the US embassy or nearest US consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don't have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest US embassy or consulate," said the online statement.
Although Nigeria’s Boko Haram extremist group has railed against the US in its past statements and YouTube recordings, no record exists of its attack on any American installations across Nigeria.
The attack on the United Nations office in Abuja, the country’s capital, was its first and last attack on physical infrastructure of any continental body since the group rose against the Nigerian state in 2009.
But it once kidnapped some European nationals who were killed in a multinational military’s botched raid on its enclave in Nigeria’s North.
Boko Haram, an extremist group canvassing violent imposition of Sharia across Nigeria’s North, is loathed among most Muslims in the country who routinely dismiss it as totally misguided and anti-Islam.
More than 10,000 deaths have been blamed on the violent group, including during attacks on churches, mosques and schools across Nigeria’s Northern region, especially in the North-eastern Borno, Yobe and Adamawa which are under emergency rule.
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