WARDEN MESSAGES

Warden Message

November 28, 2008

The following message is being issued jointly by the U.S. Embassy Abuja and
U.S. Consulate General Lagos for American citizens in Nigeria.

This warden message is being issued to inform American citizens in Nigeria about
incidents of violence in Plateau State on November 27 and 28, 2008.   As an apparent result of elections, Plateau state is experiencing civil unrest with Jos as the focal area.  Riots have broken out in Jos with several individuals killed by mob violence.   There is concern that these incidents may result in additional acts of isolated communal violence that could erupt quickly and without warning in other areas of Northern Nigeria. 

As the result of the above incidents, the U.S. Mission Nigeria has temporarily deferred non-essential travel of all U.S. Mission personnel to Plateau State.   American citizens are urged to take any necessary security precautions to ensure their own safety and wellbeing during this period of unrest, and to reevaluate their travel plans to and within Plateau State in light of the foregoing information. 

We continue to advise all Americans to review their security procedures, remain vigilant to their surroundings, monitor local news stations for updates, and report specific incidences of targeted violence to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the U. S. Consulate General in Lagos at the numbers below.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs internet website at http://travel.state.gov/, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings can be found.  Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. Federal Holidays.)

U.S. Embassy Abuja is located at Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District, Abuja; the local number is 09-461-4000.   If you are calling from the United States, please dial 011 (234) (9) 461-4000.   E-Mail: ConsularAbuja@state.gov .
The U.S. Consulate General Lagos is located at 2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos; the local number is 01-460-3400.  E-Mail: lagoscons2@state.gov.
The U.S. Mission Nigeria  Internet Website:  http://nigeria.usembassy.gov