The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a statement warning Americans resident in Nigeria to be careful of their movement around Nigeria.
The statement posted on nigeria.usembassy.gov, and issued jointly by the U.S. Embassy Abuja and U.S. Consulate General Lagos for American citizens in Nigeria, warned (U.S. citizens) that �travelling outside of major (Nigerian) cities after dark is not recommended due to both crime and road safety concerns.�
The U.S. Envoy�s office in Nigeria alerted its citizens that �violent crime committed by individual criminals and gangs, as well as by some persons wearing police and military uniforms, is a problem in Nigeria.�
The statement alleged that armed robbers invaded the home of a U.S. government employee in Abuja last week and that Americans have experienced armed muggings, assaults, burglary, carjacking, kidnappings and extortion, often involving violence.
�Home invasions remain a serious threat� it continued �with armed robbers accessing even guarded compounds by following, or tailgating, residents or visitors arriving by car into the compound, subduing guards and gaining entry into homes or apartments.�
The Nigeria Police Accused
Implicating the Nigerian police of ineptitude, the American Envoy warned its citizens that �law enforcement authorities usually respond slowly or not at all,� to crimes which they listed as robbery attacks on U.S. citizens, other expatriates and Nigerians at various places such as banks and grocery stores, and on airport roads during both daylight and evening hours.
They also say that the security agents �provide little or no investigative support to victims.�
However the Nigerian police spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu, debunked the allegations in a phone conversation with NEXT yesterday. �Nigeria is relatively safer than other cities in the world,� Mr. Ojukwu said. �Whenever crime occurs, the Nigerian police respond promptly with our response time now spanning about five minutes and we deal with this diligently, even though there are technology challenges.�
�There is no cause for alarm and every Nigerian and foreigners alike are safe in this country. Nigeria is one of the safest countries in the world.
Allegations against the Nigerian law enforcement agents were further aggravated by the Mission, stating that �U.S. citizens, Nigerians, and other expatriates have experienced harassment and shakedowns at checkpoints and during encounters with Nigerian law enforcement officials.�
Mr. Ojukwu refuted the allegation. �This is not true,� he said. �We have respect for foreigners because we know they have come to help us in this country. We work in tandem with the president�s seven point agenda to make this country one of the best economy in the year 2020 and value and absolutely respects all foreigners. It is a lie, we do not harass foreigners or expatriates.�
To ensure the security of Americans resident in the country, the U.S. Mission advised that �Americans living or travelling in Nigeria are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Mission or Consulate through the State Departments travel registration website so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Nigeria.�
This is their latest travel warning, the last being in July this year when American citizens were warned against travelling to the Niger Delta region. The release, recommended that they avoid all but essential travels to the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states.
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