Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, experienced the worst terrorist attacks in April of 2021. The Kaduna Baptist conference recorded kidnappings and killings where 35 of its members were killed and over 145 kidnapped. Armed Muslim Fulani radicals invaded another Baptist church on Sunday, April 25, 2021, killing one person (a physician), injuring another, and abducting four women. The Muslim extremists also kidnapped Four Capro Secondary School Mission School students at Gana Robb in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State the same week. On April 20, the Muslim extremists raided a private University in Kaduna and abducted 20 students and three staff members. Three of the kidnapped students were later killed a day after, and another two killed two days subsequently. The same day, the extremists raided a nearby village to the University and kidnapped 70 individuals. On April 21, the Muslim extremist gunmen attacked a local hospital and abducted nurses. The hospital, which is located close to the military check post, was not spared. On April 23, the Muslim extremist besieged the Unguwan Mission of the Seventh Day Adventist church and kidnapped eight members and the church leader. On April 26, the gunmen raided a housing estate in Kaduna State and kidnapped two women. Many highways are currently taken over by the Muslim bandits and are no longer safe to travel in the North-East of Nigeria. Thousands have been displaced in the Benue State of Nigeria and are in refugee camps. On April 25, Muslim extremists invaded a refugee camp in Central Nigeria of Benue, killing seven people. The biggest refugee camp now holds over 21,000 displaced people.
The US government travel advisory has identified some high-risk zones in Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom, terrorism, and other security threats are recurrent, and has issued a travel advisory, warning its citizens against traveling to Nigeria over the worsening security situation in the country.
This information was posted on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, by the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs. The advisory also identified some high-risk zones and issued these statements:
“Do Not Travel to Borno, Yobe, and northern Adamawa states due to terrorism and kidnapping. Do not travel to Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara states due to kidnapping. Avoid Coastal areas of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers states (except for Port Harcourt) due to crime, kidnapping, and maritime crime,” the American government advised.
The US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs further stated that violent crime – such as armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking, banditry, and rape – is common throughout the country.
To our listeners living in Nigeria, we like to share the following safety tips that have been put together by those who understand the Nigerian terrain:
Tip 1. Never use car stickers that say where you work, especially if you have a prestigious job.
Tip 2. Never share pictures of your kids in their school uniforms or badges. Protect your kids!
Tip 3. When you attend parties, don’t let the band get you so high that you start spraying money. Use an envelope.
Tip 4. Don’t be the one that tries to empty the ATM by making large withdrawals …You don’t need 50k in your wallet to feel like a man.
Tip 5. Permanently delete your bank transaction notifications, especially SMS…you really can memorize your bank balance… Shred your POS/ATM receipts.
Tip 6. Don’t go jogging while it’s dark, and you really should be more intelligent than that. If you can, get someone trusted as a company.
Tip 7. Always lock your doors, even if you’re only going out to switch off your generator.
Tip 8. NEVER WEAR YOUR ID outside your workplace. No one needs to know where you work.
Tip 9. Be accountable to your spouse or parents; let someone know where you are at every point.
Tip 10. As much as you can, don’t send kids alone on an errand outside your house. They are soft targets.
Tip 11. Don’t try to show that you are the richest in the neighborhood by making large donations in your estate meetings. Learn modesty.
Tip 12. When you give, give with modesty, and privately, learn to say, “I can’t spare that amount now.”
Tip 13. Don’t stay late in your office long after closing hours. That deadline work can be done later or at home if you wish.
Tip 14. Make safety the number one factor in your decision always!
Tip 15. Mind what you post about yourself on social media.
God will keep and protect you as you apply discretion while moving around in Nigeria, and we at AfricanPathways Program of the World Christian Broadcasting will continue to pray for your safety. Keep listening.
