U.S. Embassy Abuja
U.S. Consulate General LAGOS
NIGERIA
September 6, 2007
Warden Message
The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has received information that U.S. and other Western interests in Nigeria are currently at risk for terrorist attacks. Potential targets include official and commercial installations in Abuja and Lagos.
The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos have, therefore, encouraged their employees to take an active role in their own personal safety by reviewing their security practices and making any needed changes. The following are suggested tips for both work and social activities:
� Maintain situational awareness.
� Trust your instincts � if something doesn�t feel right it probably is not.
� Vary routes and times to and from work. Predictability leads to vulnerability � be unpredictable.
� Maintain a low personal profile and avoid drawing attention to yourself.
� Carry a charged and turned on cell phone at all times (and/or radio), programmed with emergency contact numbers.
� In traffic,
– Always attempt to leave space in which to maneuver; one car length between you and the car in front of you is the generally recommended distance.
– Always leave yourself an exit.
– Be prepared to take evasive action.
– Avoid choke points if possible � an example of a chokepoint is an intersection, bridge, or road that you must travel in order to get to your destination.
– If you cannot avoid the choke point, then raise your level of awareness when passing through it, looking for anything out of the ordinary that could be surveillance or a potential threat.
� When at all possible, avoid public locations where Westerners frequent or congregate. Use good judgment during activities, regardless of location;
� Ensure all family members are briefed on security measures;
� Have a plan and play the �what if� game:
– Think about what you would do in various situations, ideally first to avoid, or alternatively to escape a potentially threatening situation;
– Run scenario-based situations through your mind � this can shorten the reaction time and is a proven technique.
The KEY POINTS are:
1. AWARENESS of your surroundings;
2. KNOWLEDGE of your environment;
3. AVOIDANCE;
4. ESCAPE;
5. UNPREDICTABLITY;
6. HAVE A PLAN.
Analysis has shown that individuals who appear to take basic personal security measures are often passed over by terrorist groups as a potential target.
We continue to advise all Americans to review their security procedures, remain vigilant to their surroundings, 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, Public Announcements, 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 telephone number is 09-461-4000. E-Mail: ConsularAbuja@state.gov
The U.S. Consulate Lagos is located at 2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos; the telephone number is 01-261-1215. For after-hours emergencies, call 011 [234] (1) 261-1414, 261-0195, 261-0078, 261-0139, or 261-6477. E-Mail: lagoscons2@state.gov
Website: http://nigeria.usembassy.gov