The international community looked on with increasing concern and interest last week as the security situation in parts of Nigeria looks increasingly volatile. The kidnapping of two German archeologists in central Nigeria on Wednesday further heightened worries regarding the safety and security of foreign visitors to the county.
The two German nationals were kidnapped in the Kaduna region, soon to be the site of the alternate main airport when Abuja’s airport closes for temporary repairs on March 8. The impending closure has already caused the U.S. State department’s OSAC office to issue warnings to U.S. nationals to exercise caution if traveling to Nigeria during the routing of flights to Kaduna. In particular they urged travelers to put deliberate security plans in place with recognized providers for any onward ground transportation. The roads in the region already are considered high risk – with this being compounded now by opportunity criminals targeting an influx of transiting visitors to the capital once the airport in Abuja closes.