Lagos, Nigeria: 2006 Crime and Safety Report
Crime and Safety Report
Sub-Saharan Africa - Nigeria
February 22 2006
Overall Crime and Safety Situation:
The United States Department of State rates the overall crime level in Nigeria as critical. Violent crime is frequent throughout the country. Carjackings, home invasions and robberies, as well as financial fraud of all types, plague Nigerian society. Americans citizens who travel to Nigeria are not specifically targeted as Americans but are under the same threat as the general populace and expatriates.
Political Violence
American interests within Lagos are currently under no credible and specific terrorist threat. Political gatherings and street demonstrations are known to occur with little or no warning. Travelers must be aware of their surroundings so that they can safely avoid or depart an area when a demonstration occurs. Tribal and ethnic conflicts in some parts of Nigeria flare up without warning and tend to be violent. Though these disputes do not usually target Americans specifically, travelers must be cautious to avoid becoming a target of opportunity. Expatriates and western-based companies have often been the targets for kidnappings and facility takeovers. These incidents usually involve disputes with the local communities and local groups attempting to ensure the oil industry companies negotiate with them regarding benefits for the local community.
Post-Specific Concerns:
The kidnapping of petroleum personnel and occupation of oil production facilities for ransom remains a common threat, especially in the Port Harcourt vicinity of the Niger Delta. Generally, a group will take over a facility and hold the occupants for up to several days. When some form of understanding or compensation is agreed upon, the occupants and the facility are returned unharmed.
Vehicular travel in Nigeria can be a hazardous undertaking and should be scheduled so that travel is only done during the daylight hours. The lack of traffic laws and unpredictable driving habits adds to the risk of travel. Vehicular accidents are common and frequently draw a large and confrontational crowd. All of these elements advantage criminals. Public transportation is unsafe and not recommended.
In addition to the criminal dangers of travel in the country, the lack of medical response or adequate trauma facilities is a concern for all motorists.
Police Response:
Local police or neighborhood associations are generally ineffective in deterring or disrupting burglaries and other crimes, and seldom are able to apprehend or arrest suspects after the fact.
Nigerians do not respect the local police. The criminal element in and around Lagos does not fear capture or prosecution for their crimes. However, should criminals (perceived or actual) be captured by vigilantes, lynching or immolation are common punishments.
Medical Emergencies
Emergency medical care is not readily available in Lagos. There are several hospitals and clinics located in Lagos but none are up to western standards. Poor training, a lack of equipment and poor sterilization standards are issues for the majority of the hospitals and clinics in Lagos.
Some clinics and rescue services used by Americans are:
Dr. K.A. Omotosho
Kamorass Specialist Clinic Plot 238A, Muri Okunola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Phone: 261-2799
Tocaro
Plot 1618, Danmole Street, Victoria Island, Lagos Phone: 613-364, 612-694
Critical Rescue International, Nigeria's First National Advanced Plot 144, Oba Akran Ave., Ikeja, Lagos
0802-888
Paramedic Company
AEA International SOS Clinic INTEL Camp
KM 12 Aba-PHC Expressway
Phone: 084-236243
084-230025 Ext. 5094, 5092, 5093
Tips on How To Avoid Becoming a Victim:
The following Nigeria-specific security precautions are provided to raise your security consciousness and help deter/prevent both terrorist and criminal attacks.
-- Avoid disputes with local citizens.
-- Avoid large crowds of people.
-- Do not use personal checks, credit cards or ATMs anywhere in Nigeria.
-- Due to the proliferation of identity and financial fraud throughout Nigeria, do not bring information about yourself and your finances that you do not need.
-- Be wary of business offers promising a large payoff for little or no investment.
-- Carry only the amount of cash you need and distribute it within several pockets.
-- Avoid guides and other strangers who approach you with offers of assistance.
-- Always be polite and respectful of policemen and soldiers.
-- Never photograph public buildings, monuments, or airports.
-- Some Nigerians may object to having their picture taken, so always ask permission.
-- If approached by an armed robber or armed carjacker, cooperate.
-- Never leave identifying material or valuables in the vehicle.
-- Avoid trips to remote areas, especially after dark.
-- Keep vehicles well maintained, including a usable spare tire.
-- Remain a safe distance behind the vehicle ahead of you to allow space for avoidance maneuvers, if necessary.
-- Always slow down and acknowledge police and military at checkpoints. Police are authorized to shoot at suspected stolen vehicles, and will do so if you don't stop.
-- Be alert for suspicious persons when exiting or approaching your vehicle.
-- All businesses, Nigerian or otherwise, employ guard services at work and at home. There are many companies with varying quality of service. Since Nigerian law prohibits the arming of private security personnel, police personnel often supplement guard forces. These arrangements can be made by your local guard company or with the local police station.
For Further Information:
The United States Consulate Lagos is open from 0730-1600 hours Monday to Friday.
All Americans should register with the American Citizen Services (ACS) upon arrival in-country or register on-line. ACS can be contacted at phone number: (234)-(1)-261-1215 from 07:30 to 12:00, Monday to Friday.
For after-hours assistance call (234)-(1)-261-0050, or 261-0078, and listen to the options given. In case of an emergency call the above number and then press zero when you here the automated attendant to be put through to the United States Marine Security Guard on post.
OSAC-Nigeria Country Council is a vibrant and active group. The council meets monthly, usually on the first Tuesday of each month. Every other month's meeting is open to all U.S. private sector organizations. For more information, contact the Regional Security Office at U.S. Consulate Lagos or visit
http://lagos.osac.gov.