Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed gangs .
• Do Not Travel Areas:
– Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa states due to terrorism and kidnapping .
– Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states due to kidnapping .
– Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (except Port Harcourt) due to crime, kidnapping, and armed gangs .
• Safety Concerns:
– Violent crime, such as armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, and rape, is common throughout the country .
– Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting crowded areas .
– Civil unrest and armed gangs are present in parts of Southern Nigeria .
• Precautions:
– Carry proper identification, including a U.S. passport with a current Nigerian visa .
– Use caution when walking or driving at night .
– Stay informed about local conditions and follow local advice .
A new terrorist group, Lakurawas, also known as Mujahidin, has taken control of five local government areas in Sokoto State, Nigeria. These areas include Tangaza, Gada, Illela, Silame, and Binji. The group collects zakat and other levies from communities, and its members are heavily armed, communicating in multiple languages such as Hausa, Fulani, Tuareg, Kanuri, Tuba, and English .
Residents describe the group’s tactics, saying they arrive in large numbers on motorcycles, leave some members behind to collect taxes, and coerce residents to harvest crops and provide foodstuff. Those who refuse to pay face confiscation of their animals. Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Area, Alhaji Isa Salihu Kalenjeni, confirmed the group’s presence, stating that they force people to pay zakat while robbing them of their belongings .
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, warned that Lakurawas is affiliated with ISIS in the Sahelian region and exploited Nigeria’s porous borders with Niger and Mali. He urged citizens to report suspicious activities, drawing parallels with the emergence of Boko Haram .
Affected Areas:
- Tangaza
- Gada
- Illela
- Silame
- Binji
Group’s Tactics:
- Arriving in large numbers on motorcycles
- Leaving members behind to collect taxes
- Coercing residents to harvest crops and provide foodstuff
- Confiscating animals from those who refuse to pay
The U.S. Department of State has issued a travel advisory for Nigeria, warning of terrorism, kidnapping, and armed gangs in various states, including Sokoto . The Counter Extremism Project also reports on the presence of extremist groups in Nigeria, highlighting the need for continued vigilance .
