U. S. warns citizens against travel to North before Sept. 11

Worried about likely violent protests ahead of
the 12th anniversary of the September 11,
2011 attacks on the twin towers and the World
Trade Centre in New York, the United States
has issued travel alerts to it citizens.
“Because of safety and security concerns, the
U.S. mission in Nigeria is enforcing a
restricted travel policy for U.S. Embassy
personnel to the states of Adamawa, Bauchi,
Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina,
Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe, and
Zamfara,” the US Embassy in Nigeria posted on
its website yesterday.
“U.S. citizens should be mindful of this and
consider taking similar steps when planning
travel,” added the online statement.
The embassy said the restriction is to prevent
American citizens from being hurt in the event
of “spontaneous demonstrations” that could
occur on the 9/11 anniversary.
“Spontaneous demonstrations are also likely to
occur in these and possibly other areas within
Nigeria in response to heightened tensions in
the Middle East, as well as the lead up to
September 11,” said the statement.
“US citizens should avoid areas of
demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the
vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or
demonstrations,” it added.
“US citizens should also remain vigilant around
churches, mosques, other places of worship,
and locations where large crowds may gather,
such as hotels, markets, malls, and other areas
frequented by expatriates and foreign
travellers, particularly as the anniversary of
the September 11 attacks approaches.”
The North is known to stage demonstrations
against policies considered anti-Islam. The
latest was the demonstration in Kano last
month, against the ouster of Egyptian
President Mohammed Morsi by the military.