What Do The Travel Advisories Mean?

What Do The Travel Advisories Mean?

While traveling throughout Nigeria, it’s essential to remain up to date on travel advisories and act accordingly. Here are the various advisory levels and what they mean.

EXERCISE NORMAL PRECAUTION

The ‘Exercise Normal Precaution’ travel advisory level is not indicative of a lack of threat activity in the area. It suggests that any occasional incidents of violence that have occurred are addressed by law enforcement agencies or other relevant agencies. Usually, the incidents are not widespread but are more specifically located. It is generally safe to travel to the destination, and there tends to be commercial and social activities at night.

When encountering an “Exercise Normal Precaution” travel advisory, be sure to follow the outlined travel advice:

Travel Advice

• Pay attention to local news to stay up to date on threat activity.
• Have emergency phone numbers on hand for the police, etc.
• Exercise common-sense security measures especially when visiting unknown areas
• Consider using local security expertise to know what areas you can travel to and what areas you should avoid

EXERCISE INCREASED CAUTION

The ‘Exercise Increased Caution’ travel advisory level is indicative of occasional incidents of violence resulting in casualties in the area. While law enforcement may have successfully addressed such occurrences, threat activities are not necessarily under control. The situation can be unpredictable and grave incidents of violence can occur at any time.

Under such a travel advisory level, be sure to follow the outlined travel advice:

Travel Advice

• Pay attention to local news to stay up to date on threat activity.
• Have emergency phone numbers on hand for the police, etc.
• Subscribe to threat alerts from a local security company
• Use local security expertise to know what areas you can travel to and what areas you should avoid
• Do not travel at night or make day trips without some security escort

RECONSIDER TRAVEL 

The ‘Reconsider Travel’ advisory level is enacted when incidents of violence occur often resulting in mass casualties. Under such circumstances, state law enforcement institutions may struggle to cope with the strength of the non-state actors, which tends to limit the effectiveness of law enforcement in addressing the situation. This advisory level indicates that it is dangerous to travel on the roads leading to the area. A ‘Reconsider Travel’ advisory can also be brought into effect when there is an epidemic resulting in a significant number of casualties and the health institutions are struggling to keep it under control.

Under such a travel advisory level, be sure to follow the outlined travel advice:

Travel Advice

• Pay attention to local news to stay up to date on threat activity.
• Do not make any unplanned visits
• Your lodging arrangements should be thorough and conform to professional advice
• Have emergency phone numbers on hand for the police, etc.
• Before your trip, engage a professional security expert who will provide regular security assessments and analysis of the situation and on-the-go threat alerts
• Use armed escort(s) at all times
• Beforehand, have arrangements in place for evacuation in case it becomes necessary
• If inter-state travel is essential during the day, complete a thorough security assessment and only travel with a highly competent armed escort(s)
• Do not engage in any inter-state travel at night.

DO NOT TRAVEL 

The ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory level indicates that there is sustained and on-going incidents of violence resulting in mass casualties. The roads leading to the location are considered dangerous and it can lead to dire consequences if traveled. This advisory level indicates that the non-state actors have overwhelmed the state actors in its ability to keep individuals safe. This can also be indicative of an epidemic that has resulted in mass casualties and the health institutions can no longer cope in controlling it.

Under such a travel advisory level, be sure to follow the outlined travel advice:

Travel Advice

• Do not travel to these locations

Be sure to familiarize yourself with each advisory level and its meaning and act accordingly. As a courtesy to our members, we provide threat alerts. Sign up for threat alerts.

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