March 23, 2007
Warden Message
This Warden message is being issued to inform American citizens of a recent increase in crime and to remind American citizens to use caution.
Based on a recent increase in reported criminal activity against expatriates in Lagos, the U.S. Consulate General Lagos has recommended to its staff that they restrict their travel between 2200 hours and 0600 hours.
The following two instances are representative of recent criminal activity: On March 15, the Panache Hotel on Victoria Island was targeted by armed robbers. The gunmen forcefully entered the hotel and robbed guests. On March 17, the Piano Bar on Ikoyi Island was the scene of an armed robbery where shots were fired.
U.S. Consulate General Lagos has also recommended to its personnel that they avoid restaurants, bars, and night clubs between the hours of 2200 and 0600.
The U.S. Consulate General Lagos recommends that you practice good security awareness to avoid becoming a victim of a crime. In addition to the security recommendations mentioned above, the information below contains security tips that should also be followed.
PERSONAL SECURITY SUGGESTIONS AND INFORMATION
� Most crimes take place between the hours of 11:00pm and 4:00am.
� Always drive with your windows up and your doors locked.
� Place high value items inside your car out of sight behind you on the floor.
� Never leave packages in plain view when you park your vehicle.
� Separate your money into different pockets, even when carrying a purse or back pack, if robbed the criminals may only take one item and move on.
� Protect your cell phone; this is a high value item for all criminals.
� Keep a low personal profile.
� Avoid ostentatious displays of wealth.
� Always be alert to your surroundings.
� Avoid dark and deserted areas.
� Avoid disputes with local citizens.
� Identify safe havens (e.g., police stations, hospitals, shopping centers, gas stations with armed guards) near the places where you live, work and visit on a regular basis.
� Be alert for possible criminal/terrorist surveillance near your residence, workplace, and places you visit on a regular basis. Look for parked occupied vehicles or strange pedestrians, etc.
� Report suspicious persons or vehicles. Do not investigate yourself!
� Vary your daily routine and lifestyle, as much as possible. Vary your times of departure from home to work and vice versa.
� Vary your routes to work and home, and other places you visit on a regular basis. This is especially important for those who take extended walks for exercise or walk to work.
� Know where your family members are at all times. This is especially important for children and teenagers.
� Do not accept gifts, packages or rides from strangers.
� Teach your family, including children, how to call for help and get assistance in an emergency.
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 AM to 8 PM 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.
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