NIGERIA TRAVEL SAFETY GUIDE

Transcription

1 NIGERIA TRAVEL SAFETY GUIDE

2 Contents Contents Last Minute Administrative Requirements Documents Vaccinations Currency Security conditions Crime Terrorism Sanitary Conditions Safety recommendations Useful addresses and telephone numbers... 8

3 1. Last Minute Because of the breakdown of the ceasefire by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and the resurgence of armed conflict in the Niger Delta, coupled with threats by local liberalisation organisations, travel to the Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states and the whole Niger Delta area in general is not recommended. Both in the Niger Delta region and in the Muslim north there are periodic outbreaks of ethnic and/or religious violence. It is absolutely necessary to stay away from such circumstances and avoid these violent situations at all costs. The terrorist group Boko Haram has carried out a series of indiscriminate attacks against Christian interests, including churches, with many victims. Although there is a truce, the parties are still far from a stable agreement. The degree of citizen insecurity is high throughout the country, especially in the oil areas and in large cities. Aviation safety and road travel are of concern due to the poor state of infrastructure and aircraft, as well as because of the driving habits in the country. 2. Administrative Requirements 2.1 Documents Passport / ID: Passport with at least six months validity from the date of entry. Visas: Yes. Must be requested from the Nigerian Embassy in advance. It cannot be issued at the airport upon arrival. 2.2 Vaccinations Mandatory: Yellow fever. Recommended: Tetanus, Meningitis, Typhoid fever, Hepatitis A and B.

4 2.3 Currency Exchanging foreign currency at authorised banks is recommended. There is no charge on the importation of foreign currency, but significant amounts must be declared at customs. USD notes issued in 1996 and earlier are not easily accepted. There are usually no problems exchanging euros. The exchange rate given for 50 euro notes, or over, is usually better. 3. Security conditions Nigeria General: TAKE LOGICAL SAFETY MEASURES PRECAUTION HIGH LEVEL OF ALERTNESS RECONSIDER THE NEED TRAVEL THERE DO NOT TRAVEL States: Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara: TAKE LOGICAL SAFETY MEASURES PRECAUTION HIGH LEVEL OF ALERTNESS RECONSIDER THE NEED TRAVEL THERE DO NOT TRAVEL Risk areas (should be avoided): Lagos and the metropolitan area: These areas have serious public safety issues, so the following is recommended: Arrange transport from the airport to the city prior to arrival. Most large hotels have this facility. If you take a taxi, which is not advised, make sure it is official. Avoid contact with strangers upon arrival. There are a high number of impostors and scams are common, especially in the vicinity of the airport and hotels.

5 Avoid walking especially at night in areas outside the city centre. Avoid intercity road travel, especially at night, due to bad maintenance of roads in addition to the frequency of banditry and police checks. Niger Delta Region: In the Niger Delta region, there are often frequent security issues which mainly, but not exclusively, affect oil companies employees. Special caution in intercity transportation in this area and in port areas is recommended. States of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers. In the north, Bauchi, Gombe and Borno. In the centre, Jos. Medium risk area: The states of Abia, Akwa Ibon and Anambra: Uncertainty and risk of kidnappings. Abuja: The federal capital has so far been a relatively safe city. However, there have been cases of kidnappings of foreigners, so caution is recommended, particularly on overnight journeys. Avoid travelling on foot. Abuja has been the scene of several attacks, including the 16/06/2011 attack (9 dead). The Boko Haram group has threatened to continue their campaign of attacks in the city, so you cannot rule out the risk of further attacks.

6 Because of the risks of terrorist attacks, kidnappings and high levels of instability you should only travel to Nigeria if you really need to. If possible delay the trip or chose an alternative destination. If after taking this into account you still decide to travel, we recommend caution. 3.1 Crime Nigeria, given its poor infrastructure and current social and economic circumstances cannot be considered as a tourist destination. During travels for professional or business reasons, observing the precautionary measures detailed below is recommended, they should be emphasised given the situation of insecurity which can be described as very serious. The virtual absence of maintenance of both aircraft and airport services means you should avoid, insofar as possible, internal travel. If necessary, the embassies of the European Union recommend using Aerocontractors and/or Virgin Nigeria. In case of emergency contact your embassy. Nigeria is a country with high population density and high levels of poverty. Despite the efforts of the present government to improve security as a means of attracting tourists and investors, the levels are still far from acceptable. The Nigerian population is generally friendly and hospitable. However, in the large urban centres, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, Abuja, entry points to the country, problems arising from scarcity are acute. It is therefore imperative to take some precautions:

7 Prior arrangement of transport from the airport to the city is advised. Most large hotels usually have this service. If you do catch a taxi, which is not recommended, make sure that it is an official one. For travel within the city of Lagos, using a vehicle hired through your hotel is especially recommended. Avoid walking through the city, and avoid visiting downtown areas at night. Due to bad maintenance of roads in addition to the frequency of banditry, police and customs checks, avoid intercity road travel, especially at night. It is not advisable to make contact with strangers upon arrival. There are a high number of impostors and scams are common, especially at airports and in the areas surrounding hotels. There is a new type of scam which involves attracting businessmen to Nigeria with fake companies and then kidnapping them, so verifying the authenticity of your Nigerian business counterpart is recommended. 3.2 Terrorism After the death of Bin Laden in Pakistan, the level of alert for terror attacks, already high, has been considerably increased. The risk of indiscriminate attacks, specifically attacks against the western population is very high, especially in the Maghreb, Sahel and the Middle East. Therefore taking extreme security measures is advised especially in areas that are common meeting points for westerners, western entertainment venues or hotel establishments. The presence of Al Qaeda elements in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in the Sahel region, the presence of banditry, and the risk of kidnapping of western citizens have all intensified in recent years. There have been several kidnappings reported in the Sahel region, in some cases the hostages have been killed. The kidnapping of travellers since February 2011 in the Algerian Deep South, in Mauritania, Mali and Niger shows that terrorist activity, far from decreasing, is on the rise. 3.3 Sanitary Conditions Tap water is not drinkable, even at high end hotels. Always drinking bottled water is recommended. Not eating food sold from street vendors is advised.

8 There is a high incidence of malaria. Preventive treatment is recommended (before, during and after the trip) as well as using insect repellent. You should avoid bathing in stagnant water due to the possibility of disease transmission and the presence of filariasis. Nigeria's AIDS incidence rate is similar to other neighbouring countries. Taking precautions during sex is recommend. Healthcare facilities have limitations that make evacuation in case of serious illness necessary. Detection and treatment of malaria, however, is faster and more effective in Nigeria than at a health centre in a developed country. Contacting the nearest Overseas Health Service is advised. 4. Safety recommendations Human trafficking: The crime of human trafficking for ritual reasons is punished with life imprisonment. Child trafficking for immoral purposes (prostitution, forced labour) is punished with 14 years imprisonment without parole. Buying or selling people as slaves is punished with life imprisonment. Drugs: Nigerian law does not distinguish between consumption and trafficking of drugs. Both are punishable with very high prison sentences and fines. The penalties associated with drug trafficking and/or abuse are: Life sentence for cases of production, transportation and the sale of narcotics. Penalties of between 15 to 25 years, depending on the circumstances and the amount seized, for cases of possession, inciting to consume, conspiracy to produce, transport or sale of drugs, as well as the financing of any of the previously mentioned activities. Consumption falls under the crime of possession. The conditions of Nigerian prisons are deplorable.

9 Illegal entry/expiry of visa and passport: Entry into the country without a valid visa is not allowed. Due to the rigour of the Nigerian authorities you will not be issued a visa at the airport, in this regard, airline companies will prevent those without visas from boarding their flights. Renewing passports which have a validity of less than 6 months is recommended. Relations between people of the same sex Nigerian law provides for a penalty of 14 years imprisonment and a fine, for those who have relationships with people of the same sex. In the 12 northern states of Nigeria where Sharia law is applied, relations between persons of the same sex are punishable as follows: Death penalty for Muslim men who have sex with people of the same sex outside of marriage. Beatings and 6 months imprisonment for both married and unmarried women. In general following the above suggestions is recommended, use common sense and act with caution. 5. Useful addresses and telephone numbers Country code: 234

10 Carry this emergency card with you during your trip which states "In case of emergency, please call the telephone number listed below" in several languages. Write the number on the dotted line that you want called if an unexpected event occurs. FRONT BACK IN CASE OF EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL THE PHONE IN DRINGENDEN FÄLLEN STEHEN WIR RUFEN SIE DIE TELEFON الهات ف ع لى االت صال ي رج ى ال طارئ ة ال حاال ت ف ي EN CAS D'URGENCE S'IL VOUS PLAÎT APPEL DU TELEPHONE EN CASO DE EMERGENCIA POR FAVOR LLAME AL TFNO.. USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS