DOS travel alert re Nigeria

[TJandJR 69]

I received an e-mail alert from the Department of State warning: about travel to Nigeria especially certain states in Nigeria. I'm really saddened by this because my fiance is taking a job in Kono and that was one of the states it warns US citizens to avoid. We're trying to get married in the spring. I guess now we'll have the expense of him traveling to Lagos and us staying in a hotel instead of his Lagos apartment as originally planned. It seems like our wedding plans are getting further and further away and I'm getting depressed. I know that after the wedding we still have a long wait after we file. Anyway, did anyone else get one of these emails I'm signed up for it and I was just curious. I'm also worried for his safety. Anyone here from Kono?

Sorry.... I mean Kano

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

I'm a big proponent of folks visiting Nigeria as part of the immigration process, in fact I think DOS should make it a requirement. However I wouldn't recommend going anywhere north of Abuja especially Kano specifically.

Good luck.

[dwheels76 5,461]

I received an e-mail alert from the Department of State warning: about travel to Nigeria especially certain states in Nigeria. I'm really saddened by this because my fiance is taking a job in Kono and that was one of the states it warns US citizens to avoid. We're trying to get married in the spring. I guess now we'll have the expense of him traveling to Lagos and us staying in a hotel instead of his Lagos apartment as originally planned. It seems like our wedding plans are getting further and further away and I'm getting depressed. I know that after the wedding we still have a long wait after we file. Anyway, did anyone else get one of these emails I'm signed up for it and I was just curious. I'm also worried for his safety. Anyone here from Kono?

Sorry.... I mean Kano

I think you have this confused. the advisory is for northern Nigeria. Why can't you stay at your husband apartment in Lagos? Lagos is one of the safest cities especially for a foreigner there is.

Kano hasn't been safe in a long while. It's only when I was in Port Harcourt back during elections in 2011 that city wasn't safe. i couldn't go no where.

but you are perfectly fine to marry and live and stay wherever in Lagos.

[TJandJR 69]

I have stayed with him in his apartment in Lagos. But he's moving to Kano, he's not going to have an apartment there anymore.

I have stayed with him in his apartment in Lagos. But he's moving to Kano, he's not going to have an apartment there anymore.

[dwheels76 5,461]

I have stayed with him in his apartment in Lagos. But he's moving to Kano, he's not going to have an apartment there anymore.

Oh my bad I get you now. Yes no traveling please to kano. marry at the registry at Ikoji. have him do all the registry before you get there so you can be in and out a week honeymoon easy peasy.

[Darnell 8,478]

or marry in the USA, like a good K-1 visa holder.

[TJandJR 69]

Darnell our k1 was denied.

Dwheels not so easy peesy if you're on a budget as tight as ours. Now we have to save money for him to travel back to register, travel back to marry, and for a hotel for a few days. Which is going to delay our plans. If his new job will let him off work twice. But what I really want to know is will HE be safe in Kano?? . (i already know that I shouldn't go there). Thanks again.

[Masheil 3]

Forgive my saying so, but you need to ask your fiance more questions. There's more to this Kano story than you think you know. I could elaborate more on some eye-opening issues, but @ this point, l don't want to rain on your parade. You WILL not like my theory, which could in the end turn out to be the TRUTH!

[TJandJR 69]

Anewday...I appreciate your concern. However I have been in this relationship almost 4 years. And even though I may not have elaborated all the details to you , he has elaborated all the details to me. I have been with him through a previous job change and we discuss the pros and cons and risks and pray and make a decision together as a couple. The current job is not a very good job but better than the last. The new job offer is what we have been praying for... An advanced position with a better company and better pay (although it's still a far cry from what I consider good pay here). I've seen the progression of this job offer from the very first meeting. We are just saddened it is up north. We were initially scared for him to take it and he's angry the prayer for a job like this has been answered but with risks. I said if we believe it is an answer then we must also believe you will be protected. And I'm just wondering (because I'm not from there) how safe it is even for Nigerian citizens. And I'm venting because it delays our plans....and we all know how long this journey is to begin with. Especially after we went the k1 route and are about to embark on the spousal visa. We have saved and had a target date... Now delays.

So, naysayer, please don't assume to know my relationship better than I do, or suggest this is some complicated ploy to get out of our upcoming marriage or a plan to extort money from me or whatever eye opening thing you are eager to suggest. Again, just cause I didn't expound on all the details doesn't mean he hasn't. Frankly, every little detail wasn't anybody's business and didn't need to be told. I'm sorry but I'm just so sick of people quick to imply thetes funny business afoot, or theres a scam going on. Especially since being engaged to a Nigerian I've heard it all. From people that don't know a thing about us. So... Theres not more to this Kano story than I know.... There's more to this Kano story than YOU know and how dare you insult my fiances integrity. Thanks for letting me vent.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Anywhere where the majority religion changes in Nigeria is not a place for a non Nigerian to be. Both sides seem to take great joy in settling the score at the cost of innocents. As to his job letting him off. If he is leaving for the US just a little later ( think positive ) the job is really not all that important. Yes it will be a pain to travel back and forth. Is there any way for a proxy to register the wedding for him or could it be done remotely by transferring it from the local one to Lagos ?

[TJandJR 69]

Anywhere where the majority religion changes in Nigeria is not a place for a non Nigerian to be. Both sides seem to take great joy in settling the score at the cost of innocents. As to his job letting him off. If he is leaving for the US just a little later ( think positive ) the job is really not all that important. Yes it will be a pain to travel back and forth. Is there any way for a proxy to register the wedding for him or could it be done remotely by transferring it from the local one to Lagos ?

That's a great suggestion. I hadn't thought of that. Neither one of us is familiar with the registery and it's rules but we'll definitely find out if we can do it that way. I know his cousin will be more than happy to do that for us if it's possible. Thanks.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Let us know what you find out might be useful for future reference

[livindadream 156]

Hello,

I read your post to my husband who is sitting here next to me because he had recently spent a couple weeks in that area. He said from Zaria to Kano...Kaduna , Jos, Bauchi to Maiduguri (hope I spelled all these correct) it is nothing but "dead zone" in his words. He said he's even surprised of someone leaving Lagos to go to Kano for a job opportunity because he said the area is so dry. He said personally he would not feel safe at all ...at all....in any of those areas. Any chance you could meet up in Abuja instead? It's a 5 1/2 hour drive from Kano as opposed to 13 hours to Lagos. I also priced hotels there back in April and although still ridiculously expensive, they seem to be a little cheaper than Lagos.

[justojai 53]

Why switch job since his looking at migrating....... my friend resigned from his job when he was tranfered from Lagos to the North, Kano and co are like a time bomb and can go off at any time T.

[TJandJR 69]

Hello,

I read your post to my husband who is sitting here next to me because he had recently spent a couple weeks in that area. He said from Zaria to Kano...Kaduna , Jos, Bauchi to Maiduguri (hope I spelled all these correct) it is nothing but "dead zone" in his words. He said he's even surprised of someone leaving Lagos to go to Kano for a job opportunity because he said the area is so dry. He said personally he would not feel safe at all ...at all....in any of those areas. Any chance you could meet up in Abuja instead? It's a 5 1/2 hour drive from Kano as opposed to 13 hours to Lagos. I also priced hotels there back in April and although still ridiculously expensive, they seem to be a little cheaper than Lagos.

Another good idea....if they have a marriage registery that is accepted by the embassy. We will look into it. Thank you.