Nigeria’s ongoing violence

The Department of State continues to recommend avoiding these states in Nigeria because of the risk of kidnappings, robberies and other armed attacks: Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Plateau, Gombe, Yobe, Kaduna, Bauchi, Borno and Kano. The US Embassy restricts travel by US officials to all northern Nigerian states (in addition to those listed above).

On Oct. 1, 2012, more than 50 students were killed in attacks in Adamawa state. Several drinking establishments were attacked in Bauchi, Taraba and Kaduna in September and October. Churches were targeted in Bauchi, Kaduna and Kogi in July and August. Attacks on three churches in Kaduna on June 17 led to riots in which 10 people were killed and 78 injured. Violence between Christians and Muslims continued throughout the week.

Beginning in September, extremists damaged more than 50 cellular telephone towers in northern Nigeria. Offshore, travel in the Gulf of Guinea carries the threat of piracy.