The United States has issued travel advisory for two countries in Africa; Mauritania and Nigeria. The U.S. is asking citizens to “reconsider” traveling to Mauritania due to increased terrorism and crime in the area with an even bolder warning for specific regions of the country.
“Violent crimes occur frequently outside the Tevragh Zeina neighborhoods in Nouakchott. They include mugging, armed robbery, and assault. Local police lack the resources to respond quickly and effectively to serious crimes,” the Department of State said in a message. “Transportation options and communication infrastructure are limited outside Nouakchott with little or no warning, targeting places frequented by Westerners.”
Those who do travel to the country were warned to avoid areas marked off-limits by the Mauritanian military, all areas north of the Tropic of Cancer and all areas within 100 KM of the Mali and Algeria Border.
Meanwhile, Nigeria received an updated travel warning to reflect the inconsistent availability of health care services in the country. The United States warned citizens to “reconsider” travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed gangs, and inconsistent availability of health care services.
Specifically, the United States warned travelers to avoid Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa states due to terrorism and kidnapping, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states due to kidnapping and Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states due to crime, kidnapping, and armed gangs.
“Violent crime is common in the country. This includes armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking, roadside banditry, and rape. Kidnappings for ransom happen often,” the U.S. warned. “They primarily target dual national citizens visiting Nigeria and U.S. citizens perceived as wealthy. Kidnapping gangs have also stopped victims on interstate roads.”
All locations in the country carry “significant security risks.”