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Arcane Intellect

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How to Get to Icecrown Citadel (ICC) in WoW

Last Updated: October 18, 2023 by Archdruid Andoris Leave a Comment

A guide for new and returning players looking to take down the Lich King!

In this guide, I want to walk you through how to get to Icecrown Citadel (also called ICC by many players). My main focus is on WotLK-era players, but I’ll also throw in some tips for retail players. I’ll dive into the details below, but here is a quick answer if you just need to jog your memory.

To get to Icecrown Citadel, you’ll need to make your way to Northrend first. You can reach Northrend via boat/zeppelin, hearthstone, or mage portal. After arriving in Northrend, your best bet is to use a flying mount ( requires level 77+ in WotLK Classic ) to reach the citadel.      

Where is the Icecrown Citadel in WoW?

Icecrown Citadel (ICC) is located along the southern end of the Icecrown zone on Northrend. It is one of the few buildings that appears on the continent map due to its massive size and importance in lore. 

How to get to Icecrown Citadel in Wrath of the Lich King Classic

The hardest part of getting to ICC in Wrath is knowing how to get to Northrend. As I mentioned in the answer above, there are a few ways to travel to the shores of this icy continent. 

Either faction can also reach Northrend by using a mage portal, warlock summon, or hearthstone (if possible). Each faction also has its own travel options as well.

For alliance players, you can travel to Northrend via boats found in the harbors of Stormwind or Menethil Harbor. The Stormwind boat will take you to Borean Tundra, while Menethil will take you to Howling Fjord. Taking the Stormwind boat will get you to ICC faster because the Tundra is closer to Icecrown. 

Horde players also have two options to get to Northrend. The first is a zeppelin from Undercity to Howling Fjord. The second is a zeppelin from Orgrimmar to Borean Tundra. Between these two, your best bet is to take the Orgrimmar zeppelin because you will land closer to the Icecrown zone.

Traveling to Icecrown Citadel

To get to Icecrown Citadel, you’ll need to take a flight path or use your own flying mount. The flight paths are identical for Horde and Alliance, but some require completing quest lines. Unfortunately, the two unlocked paths, Argent Vanguard and Death’s Rise , aren’t close to the citadel, so this won’t be your best option.

Your best bet is to reach level 77 (if you haven’t yet) and buy cold weather flying for 1,000 gold . Icecrown is an unforgiving zone for foot-bound adventures, so having flying will go a long way. 

Once you have cold weather flying, all you need to do is set your hearthstone to Dalaran, and then you can fly west out of the city and arrive at ICC in about a minute.

How to get to ICC in Dragonflight

If you are playing the retail version of the game, there are a few portals you can use to make your life easier. Instead of taking a boat or zeppelin to Northrend, you can take the Dalaran, Crystalsong Forest teleport from the portal room in Orgrimmar or Stormwind. 

After arriving in Dalaran, fly west out of the city, and you should see ICC looming high overhead. Just be careful when passing near the Violet Citadel in Dalaran because it sometimes tends to dismount you in the air.

Where is the entrance to the Icecrown Citadel raid?

You can find the raid entrance for Icecrown Citadel up a long set of stairs on the north side of the tower near ground level. If you are using the TomTom addon , head to the Icecrown zone and then type /way 53.8, 87.1 in chat and press enter to create an arrow to guide you.

Dungeon Entrances: The Forge of Souls, Pit of Saron, and Halls of Reflection

In addition to housing the most popular raid in World of Warcraft, Icecrown Citadel is also home to three dungeons — Forge of Souls, Pit of Saron, and Halls of Reflection. The entrance to all these dungeons is in the Frozen Halls, a small corridor a couple of stories up on the citadel’s side.

After entering The Frozen Halls and taking a short walk down a hallway, you’ll come to a large room with the three dungeon entrances and the meeting stone for Icecrown Citadel. If you are standing in the hallway, Forge of Souls will be on your left, Pit of Saron on the right, and Halls of Reflection will be directly in front of you.

MORE WOTLK GUIDES!

How To Unlock Northrend Flying in WotLK Classic [2024]

How To Get to Northrend in WotLK Classic [2024]

21 Best Addons for WotLK Classic [2024]

About Archdruid Andoris

I'm glad you found me! I am a veteran World of Warcraft player who has played off-and-on since the game first released in 2004. I have been a guild master for several guilds with the focus of helping new players learn how to play the game and try new activities like dungeons and raids. I hope the guides and information on this site help you on your journey thorough Azeroth!

If you have any thoughts or questions on the article, feel free to leave a comment. An e-mail is not required (I just use it to catch spam bots).

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ICC announces release of additional tickets for T20 World Cup: Here's how to get them

The International Cricket Council has announced the release of additional tickets and hospitality packages for the upcoming Men's T20 Cricket World Cup in the United States and West Indies.

The additional tickets and hospitality packages will be available to purchase on the official T20 website starting at 9 a.m. EST / 10 a.m. Antigua Standard Time on Tuesday, March 19. Tickets will be available for matches at all nine host locations, including for fixtures where tickets are currently unavailable. However, they will only be available for 51 of the 55 matches.

"Public tickets remain unavailable for four matches, including USA v Canada (Jun 1), India v Pakistan (9 Jun), India v Canada (15 Jun) and the Final in Barbados (Jun 29)," said the ICC in a news release Thursday.

More than 3 million people signed up for tickets during the public ballot that ran earlier this year from Feb. 1 to Feb. 7 and not everyone was able to score tickets through that. The ICC hopes the expansion of the public tickets will allow more supporters to experience the tournament.

“With less than 80 days to the start of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, this announcement is an emphatic response to the global call from fans to make additional tickets available for matches and we are thrilled to be able to do this, while ensuring that as many people as possible have the opportunity to witness the biggest Carnival of Cricket in person," Tournament Director Fawwaz Baksh said in a statement.

What to expect from the T20 World Cup? Tournament director says cricket matches will be 'very, very exciting'

Cricket: Learn about the game

Matches for which tickets will be available include:

• Netherlands vs. Nepal: June 4, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Dallas
• India v Ireland: June 5, Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York
• United States vs. Pakistan: June 6, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Dallas
• Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh: June 7, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Dallas
• United States vs. India: June 12, Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York
• Pakistan vs. Ireland: June 16, Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill
• Super Eight A2 v D1: June 19, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua and Barbuda
• Super Eight C1 v A1: June 20, Kensington Oval, Barbados
• Super Eight A2 v C2: June 21, Kensington Oval, Barbados
• Super Eight A1 v D2: June 22, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua and Barbuda
• Super Eight A2 v B1: June 23, Kensington Oval, Barbados
• Semi-Final 1: June 26, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago
• Semi-Final 2: June 27, Guyana National Stadium, Guyana

Hospitality program and travel packages

The ICC is also offering a hospitality program for the T20 World Cup, which will also open on March 19 at 9 a.m. EST / 10 a.m. Antigua Standard Time.

"Fans will be able to choose from a range of premium private suites and individual food and beverage packages across the West Indies and all fixtures at Nassau County International Stadium in New York," the ICC said. "Packages for fixtures at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium and Broward County Stadium will be released at a later date."

Cricket enthusiasts who will be travelling to the venues from different countries also have the option to secure ticket-inclusive travel packages through ICC Travel & Tours and official appointed Official Travel Agents listed on their website.

$40,000 cricket tickets: T20 World Cup, Pakistan-India demand, drives skyrocketing prices

ICC T20 World Cup general match tickets

General tickets for the 2024 T20 World Cup were available to purchase on first-come-first-serve basis on the tournament website from Feb. 22. While tickets for popular matches sold out almost immediately, there almost 37 matches for which tickets are still available. Ticket prices start at $6 for matches in the West Indies and at $35 for USA venues.

What ticket categories are available?

Tickets are available in the following categories, depending on the stadiums and venues:

• Standard Plus
• Grounds and Mounds / Standing Room Only (SRO)

ICC said all stadiums in the event are "divided into different enclosures which have different views of the field of play and may have differing degrees of shade".

What to know about the 2024 T20 World Cup

Fifty-five matches will be played across nine cities – three in the U.S. and six in the Caribbean, according to the I.C.C., with the opening match between Canada and the U.S. to be held on June 1 at Grand Prairie Stadium in the Dallas metro area, and the grand finale on June 29 in Barbados. The semi-finals will take place in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana.

New York City will host the much-anticipated clash between Pakistan and India on June 9, according to the schedule released by the ICC.

England enters the year as defending champions, having beaten Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup final in Melbourne. The series will mark U.S., Canada and Uganda's first appearances at a Men's T20 World Cup.

ICC World Cup venues

Matches will be played at the following stadiums in the United States:

• Central Broward Park – Lauderhill, Florida, USA
• Eisenhower Park – Nassau County, Long Island, New York, USA
• Grand Prairie Stadium – Grand Prairie, Texas, USA

Matches will be played at the following stadiums in West Indies:

• Kensington Oval – Bridgetown, Barbados
• Daren Sammy Cricket Ground – Gros Islet, Saint Lucia
• Arnos Vale Stadium – Kingstown, Saint Vincent
• Brian Lara Cricket Academy – San Fernando, Trinidad

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.

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Travel Grants

On a competitive basis, IEEE ICC 2024 offers a number of grants to students and to individuals who are financially limited. To be eligible for a student travel grant, the applicant must be registered for the conference, a student, and a co-author of an accepted peer-reviewed paper for the conference. Additionally, a Conference Travel Grant (CTG) is available for applicants who are unable to obtain sufficient funding due to, for instance, being from a country with a low GDP.  The grants are from: IEEE ComSoc, US National Science Foundation (NSF), Women in Communications Engineering (WICE), and IEEE Conference Travel. These grants encourage participation by students or individuals who would normally find it difficult to attend. Women, minorities, individuals from low GDP countries, beginning graduate students, and first time ICC attendees, are especially encouraged to apply. Postdocs, faculty, or other senior research personnel may not apply for a student grant.

CONFERENCE TRAVEL GRANTS

Conference Travel Grants (CTG) is a newly established IEEE ComSoc program that provides partial financial support for participation in IEEE ComSoc conferences. 

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for a CTG at ICC 2024, an applicant must be:

1.    A ComSoc member 2.    An ICC 2024 participant; and 3.    Unable to obtain sufficient substantial funding from their own institution or other sources, and forced to cover most of or all the associated expenses with their own funds

Priority will be given to:

• Authors of accepted ICC 2024 Conference Papers
• Presenters of accepted talks at ICC 2024
• Those residing in a country with a low Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita

HOW TO APPLY FOR CTG

The application can be accessed in EDAS by selecting “Travel Grants” at the top of the page and then selecting “IEEE ICC’24 - Conference Travel Grants”.  Alternatively, the application can be accessed directly by clicking this  link . 

The application will ask questions related to the eligibility criteria.  A letter of recommendation is NOT required for the Conference Travel Grant.

Before submitting the application, applicants are advised to update their EDAS profiles so that it includes their current affiliation (including the location of the university they are attending) and their IEEE ComSoc membership information.

IMPORTANT DATES

Application Deadline : May 3, 2024 

Acceptance Notification : May 10, 2024

IEEE COMSOC STUDENT GRANTS

IEEE ICC 2024 offers ComSoc grants to students who have co-authored an accepted peer-reviewed paper for the conference. 

1.    Each applicant must be a Student Member or Graduate Student Member of the IEEE Communications Society at the time he/she applies for the grant;

2.    Each applicant must be a co-author of an accepted paper in ICC 2024 and present it at the conference;

3.    Each applicant must be a full-time student registered toward a Bachelor, Masters, or PhD degree in computer science, engineering or related field in a college or university when submitting the application;

4.    During the expense reimbursement stage, the student applicant must show the proof of having registered to attend ICC 2024.

A student who is awarded a student grant must register, attend, and present their paper at the conference. Payment will only be made to grant recipients who submit the expense report (with receipts for expenses over US$25) within 45 days after the conference. More details will be provided to the students who are selected to receive a ComSoc Student Grant.

NSF STUDENT TRAVEL GRANTS

IEEE ICC 2024 offers NSF travel grants to students on a competitive basis. The NSF travel grants help promote diversity among the conference attendees. The NSF grants especially encourages applicants that are: 1) women and minorities and 2) beginning graduate students, or (3) first-time ICC attendees. The awarded student must attend in person .

1.    Each applicant must be a) a qualified full-time student (graduate or undergraduate) enrolled in a US-based institution or b) a US citizen enrolled in a foreign institution coming to the US-based conference;

2.    Each applicant must be a co-author of an accepted paper in ICC 2024 (main program or workshop);

3.    Each applicant must be a full-time student registered toward a Bachelor, Masters, or Ph.D. degree in computer science, engineering or related field in a college or university when submitting the application;

4.    This grant particularly encourages women, minorities, beginning graduate students, and first time ICC attendees to apply.

IMPORTANT NOTE

All flights made on an NSF travel grant award must be either on a US-flag carrier or ticketed through a US carrier (e.g., codeshare flights on international airlines). A student who is awarded a student travel grant must register, attend, and present the paper at the conference (the student should attend in person, not remotely). During the expense reimbursement stage, the student applicant must show proof of having registered to attend ICC 2024 along with photos showing participation in ICC events such as presenting papers or attending technical symposiums. Payment will be made only to grant recipients who submit an expense report with all the receipts no more than 45 days after the conference. More details will be provided to the students who are selected to receive an NSF Student Travel Grant.

IEEE WICE STUDENT GRANTS

ICC 2024 offers WICE grants to students who have co-authored an accepted peer-reviewed paper for the conference and are members of ComSoc’s Women in Communications Engineerin g   committee. 

1.    Each applicant must be a Student Member or Graduate Student Member of both the IEEE Communications Society and IEEE WICE at the time he/she applies for the grant;

2.    To be qualified for the funding from WICE, the awardee is required to attend the WICE events at IEEE ICC 2024;

3.    Each applicant must be a co-author of an accepted paper in ICC 2024 and present it at the conference;

4.    Each applicant must be a full-time student registered toward a Bachelor, Masters, or PhD degree in computer science, engineering or related field in a college or university when submitting the application;

5.    During the expense reimbursement stage, the student applicant must show the proof of having registered to attend ICC 2024.

A student who is awarded a WICE student grant must register, attend, and present their paper at the conference. Payment will only be made to grant recipients who submit the expense report (with receipts for expenses over US $25) within 45 days after the conference. More details will be provided to the students who are selected to receive a WICE Student Grant.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A STUDENT GRANT

IEEE ICC 2024 is using a single application for all three grants.  The application can be accessed in EDAS by selecting “Travel Grants” at the top of the page or by clicking this link . 

The application will ask which of the three grants you are eligible for and would like to be considered, if you have previously attended a conference organized by ComSoc (including ICC and GLOBECOM conferences), your academic level, and number of years in your current program.  The application includes a field for you to enter a short statement of interest.

A letter of recommendation is required.  The letter should be from the student’s advisor or co-author, and should verify that the applicant is a student in good standing.

Before submitting the application, applicants are advised to update their EDAS profiles so that it includes their current affiliation (including the location of the university they are attending), their IEEE membership information, and their gender.

Application Deadline : April 10, 2024 

Acceptance Notification : April 25, 2024

PLEASE ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS TO THE  STUDENT TRAVEL GRANT CHAIR  WITH A MANDATORY SUBJECT HEADER: IEEE ICC 2024 STG QUESTION:  <YOUR LAST NAME>.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

IEEE is committed to the principle that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, services, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by IEEE policy and/or applicable laws. For more information on the IEEE policy visit  www.ieee.org/nondiscrimination .

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We extend our sincere appreciations to IEEE ComSoc, US National Science Foundation, and WICE for supporting IEEE ICC 2024 student grants.

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Travel Advisory September 20, 2023

Nigeria - level 3: reconsider travel.

Updated with return to full operational status, removal of obsolete COVID-19 page links, and updates to Do Not Travel Areas.

Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to  crime ,  terrorism ,  civil unrest ,  kidnapping , and  armed gangs .   Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do Not Travel to :

• Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa states due to  terrorism  and  kidnapping
• Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states due to  kidnapping
• Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt) due to  crime ,  kidnapping , and  armed gangs.

Country Summary :  Violent crime – such as armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage taking, roadside banditry, and rape – is common throughout the country. Kidnappings for ransom occur frequently, often targeting dual national citizens who have returned to Nigeria for a visit, as well as U.S. citizens with perceived wealth. Kidnapping gangs have also stopped victims on interstate roads.

Terrorists continue plotting and carrying out attacks in Nigeria. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting shopping centers, malls, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants, bars, schools, government installations, transportation hubs, and other places where crowds gather. Terrorists are known to work with local gangs to expand their reach.

There is civil unrest and armed gangs in parts of Southern Nigeria, especially in the Niger Delta and Southeast regions. Armed criminality and gangs, including kidnapping and assaults on Nigerian security services is also pervasive in this region.

Violence can flare up between communities of farmers and herders in rural areas.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Nigeria due to security conditions.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Nigeria.

  If you decide to travel to Nigeria:

• Carry proper identification, including a U.S. passport with a current Nigerian visa, if needed.
• Use caution when walking or driving at night.
• Keep a low profile.
• Review travel routes and times to vary your predictability.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners.
• Avoid demonstrations and large political gatherings.
• Review your personal security plans.
• Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.
• Establish a “proof of life” protocol with your loved ones, so that if you are taken hostage, your loved ones know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to be sure that you are alive (and to rule out a hoax).
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Obtain comprehensive medical insurance that includes medical evacuation.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Nigeria.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.  Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and Northern Adamawa states – Level 4: Do Not Travel

The security situation in these states is fluid and unpredictable due to widespread terrorist activity, inter-communal violence, and kidnapping. Security operations to counter these threats may occur without warning.

Terrorist groups based in the Northeast routinely target humanitarian camps, security forces, churches, schools, mosques, government installations, educational institutions, entertainment venues, and road travelers.

Approximately two million Nigerians have been displaced as a result of the violence in Northeast Nigeria.

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states – Level 4: Do Not Travel

The security situation in these states is fluid and unpredictable due to widespread inter-communal violence and armed criminality, especially kidnapping and roadside banditry. Security operations to counter these threats may occur without warning.

Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt) – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Crime is rampant throughout Southern Nigeria, and there is a heightened risk of kidnapping , violent civil unrest , and armed gangs .

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1075 Diplomatic Drive Central District Area, Abuja Nigeria Telephone: +234 209 461 4328 Email:  [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Lagos 2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria Telephone: +234 201 460 3400 (Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +234 201 460 3400 Email:  [email protected]

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Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

A passport valid for six months, a visa, and proof of Polio and Yellow Fever vaccinations are required to enter Nigeria. You must obtain your Nigerian visa from a Nigerian embassy or consulate in advance of your travel.

What does "Visa on Arrival" mean in Nigeria?  Nigeria's "Visa on Arrival" requires pre-approval.  You must receive a Visa on Arrival approval document from a Nigerian embassy or consulate prior to travel to Nigeria. A Visa on Arrival is only available for the purpose of business travel, as defined by the Nigerian government. No Visa on Arrival is available for tourism. If you attempt to travel to Nigeria without a visa issued into your passport or a Visa on Arrival approval document from a Nigerian embassy or consulate, you will be refused entry. This information is subject to change. Please refer to the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) guidelines ( https://immigration.gov.ng/visa-on-arrival-process/ ) and utilize the forms available on their website.

Visit the  Embassy of Nigeria  website for the most current visa information.

The Nigerian Fire Arms Act (1990) provides that no person shall have in his possession or under his control any firearm or ammunition except such person that has a license from the President or from the Inspector General of Police. U.S. citizens found with firearms (declared or undeclared) will be arrested.   

You cannot legally depart Nigeria unless you can prove, by presenting your visa and entry stamp, that you entered Nigeria legally.  In addition, if you exceed your authorized period of stay (as determined by the duration of stay given by the entry officer), you will be required to pay a fine before being allowed to depart. The fine can be up to $4,000 USD depending on the length of overstay.

U.S.-Nigeria dual-national citizens are now required to have a valid Nigerian passport in order to depart the country. Dual-national citizens can be, and often are, denied boarding until they have obtained non-expired Nigerian passports.

A World Health Organization (WHO) yellow card is required for entry into the country. The Nigerian authorities require a  Yellow Fever  vaccination within the past ten years and that adults have a  Polio  booster after the original childhood vaccine series. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes a  country-specific list  of recommended vaccines to receive prior to arrival. See also the Health section below.

Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of Nigeria. Nigerian authorities may deny entry to foreigners who are “undesirable for medical reasons” and may require HIV tests for foreigners intending to marry Nigerian citizens. Please verify this information with the  Embassy of Nigeria  before travel.

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction , and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

Terrorism : Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack –including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to target crowds more effectively. Frequently, their aim is focused on unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists
• Places of worship
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights)

Please see our most recent  Travel Advisory  for more details.

For more information, see our  Terrorism  page.

Crime : Muggings, assaults, burglaries, car-jackings, rape, kidnappings, and extortion occur regularly. Law enforcement authorities usually respond slowly and often do not have the resources to provide investigative support to victims.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens beyond Abuja and Lagos and their immediate surrounding areas. U.S. government employees may be subject to travel constraints as security conditions warrant.

Demonstrations  occur frequently. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. 

• Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly become violent. 
• Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. 
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.

International Financial Scams :  See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information.

Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in Nigeria. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters.  Scammers almost always pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help. Common scams include:  

• Romance/online dating 
• Money transfers 
• Contracts with promises of large commissions
• Inheritance notices 
• Nigerian Letter or “419” Fraud

Victims of Crime :  U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or Consulate General in Lagos for assistance. Report crimes to the local police at 112, and contact the Embassy at +(234)(9)461-4328 or Consulate General at +(234)(1) 460-3400. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.

Justice in Nigeria may be uneven. Many crimes go unsolved. Others may not be prosecuted to a successful conclusion for the victim.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. citizen victims of crime overseas .

• Help you find appropriate medical care.
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police.
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent.
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion.
• Provide a list of local attorneys.
• Provide information on  victims’ compensation programs in the United States .
• Provide information on victims’ assistance programs in Nigeria:
• National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons ( NAPTIP )
• Women Trafficking and Child Labor Eradication Foundation ( WOTCLEF )
• Women at Risk International Foundation ( WARIF )
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution.
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home.
• Replace a stolen or lost passport.

Domestic Violence : U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy or Consulate for assistance.

Tourism : The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. Even within major cities, the limited number of first responders and extreme traffic congestion can cause lengthy delays in response time. Emergency services comparable to those in the United States or Europe are non-existent, and the blood supply is unreliable and unsafe for transfusion. You should consider traveling to the United States, Europe, or South Africa for treatment for serious conditions.  U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Maritime Security : Piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea continue to trend upwards. Pirates/armed groups operating in the region typically carry out attacks on vessels using automatic weapons. Attacks, kidnappings for ransom, and robbery of crew, passengers, and ship’s property continue to be common occurrences.

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties : You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.  Possession, use, or sale of cannabis and related products is prohibited under Nigerian law.  U.S. citizens who violate the law may be subject to arrest and prosecution. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities prior to practicing or operating a business.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification : If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General immediately. In cases where detainees are dual citizens (holders of U.S. and Nigerian citizenship), the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General may not be promptly notified. See our  webpage  for further information.

Faith-Based Travelers :  See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers : Consensual, same-sex sexual relations are illegal in Nigeria. Entering same-sex marriage contracts and civil unions (defined to include “any arrangement between persons of the same sex to live together as sex partners”) is also criminalized, with punishments including fines and prison sentences of up to 14 years. Same-sex marriage contracts and civil unions entered into in a foreign country are not recognized under Nigerian law.

Public displays of affection between persons of the same sex are also punishable by up to ten years imprisonment. Furthermore, the law allows for the prosecution of persons who support or belong to advocacy groups relating to LGBTI issues, with prison sentences of up to ten years. U.S. citizens who participate in free speech or assemblies relating to same-sex marriage could potentially be prosecuted under this law.

In the following northern states, where Sharia law applies, penalties can also include death: Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara.

See our  LGBTI Travel Information  page.

Travelers with Disabilities:   The law in Nigeria prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental disabilities; however, the law is very unevenly enforced. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is not as prevalent as in the United States. 

Few government buildings, schools, banks, or grocery stores have accessible facilities, including in Abuja and Lagos. Some hospitals and clinics are equally inaccessible to people with disabilities and lack wheelchair ramps or lifts, including some of the hospitals travelers commonly use. Expect accessibility to be very limited in transportation, lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure, and largely absent outside of major cities. 

Much of the disability equipment for sale locally is refurbished rather than new. Replacement parts can be found in local informal markets and are also generally refurbished parts. Imported higher-end equipment such as electric wheelchairs and lifting equipment can be purchased from a limited number of medical equipment suppliers in the major cities.

Students :  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers :  Rape is a crime in Nigeria. According to the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, rape is punishable by 12 years to life imprisonment for offenders older than 14 and a maximum of 14 years imprisonment for offenders younger than 14. Rape remains a rampant problem.

The VAPP Act, currently applicable only in the Federal Capital Territory, addresses sexual, physical, psychological, and socioeconomic violence, and harmful traditional practices. Federal law criminalizes female circumcision or genital mutilation (FGM/C). Twelve states have also banned FGM/C, though the practice remains common in parts of both Northern and Southern Nigeria.

See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Nigerian medical facilities are generally poorly equipped. Many medicines are unavailable, including medications for diabetes or asthma. Take care when purchasing medicines locally, as counterfeit pharmaceuticals are a common problem, and may be difficult to distinguish from genuine medications. Hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Emergency services comparable to those in the United States or Europe are non-existent, and the blood supply is unreliable and unsafe for transfusion. For serious medical problems, you should consider traveling to the United States, Europe, or South Africa for treatment.

For emergency services in Nigeria, dial 112.

Ambulance services are: 

• not present throughout the country or are unreliable in most areas.
• not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment. 
• not staffed with trained paramedics and often have little or no medical equipment. 
• Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance. 

We do not pay medical bills . Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance : Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on overseas coverage. Visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  for more information on types of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the  Federal Ministry of Health  in Nigeria to ensure the medication is legal in Nigeria.

Vaccinations : Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further Health Information :

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• https://healthapp.ncdc.gov.ng/guidelines-and-protocols/
• https://healthapp.ncdc.gov.ng/health-declaration-page/

The U.S. Embassy maintains a  list of doctors and hospitals . We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Health Facilities in General :

• Adequate health facilities are available in major cities, but health care in rural areas may be below U.S. standards.
• Public medical clinics lack basic resources and supplies.
• Hospitals and doctors often require payment “up front” prior to service or admission. Credit card payment is not always available. Most hospitals and medical professionals require cash payment.
• Private hospitals usually require advance payment or proof of adequate insurance before admitting a patient.
• Generally, in public hospitals only minimal staff are available overnight (in non-emergency wards). Consider hiring a private nurse or having family spend the night with the patient, especially a minor child.
• Patients bear all costs for transfer to or between hospitals.
• Psychological and psychiatric services are limited, even in the larger cities, and approaches to treatment and services might be significantly different than the United States.

Medical Tourism and Elective Surgery :

• Medical tourism is a rapidly growing industry worldwide. People seeking health care overseas should understand that medical systems operate differently from those in the United States and are not subject to the same rules and regulations. Anyone interested in traveling for medical purposes should consult with their local physician before traveling. 
• Visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  website for information on medical tourism, the risks of medical tourism, and what you can do to prepare before traveling to Nigeria.
• We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation in the event of unforeseen medical complications.
• Your legal options in case of malpractice are very limited in Nigeria.  

Pharmaceuticals :

• Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas. Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescriptions in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with little controls. Counterfeit medication is common and may prove to be ineffective, the wrong strength, or contain dangerous ingredients. Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for rules governing the transport of medication back to the United States. Medication purchased abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back into the United States. Medication should be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States. Please visit the  U.S. Customs and Border Protection  and the  Food and Drug Administration  websites for more information.  

Non-Traditional Medicine :

• U.S. citizens have suffered serious complications or died while seeking medical care from non-traditional “healers” and practitioners.  We recommend that you have access to licensed emergency medical facilities in such cases.

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy :

• If you are considering traveling to Nigeria to have a child through use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or surrogacy, please see our  ART and Surrogacy Abroad page .
• Although surrogacy agencies/clinics claim surrogacy is legal in Nigeria, there is no legal framework for foreigners to pursue surrogacy in Nigeria. As a result, surrogacy agreements between foreign intending parents and gestational mothers vary widely and are not enforced by Nigerian courts.
• Even though you may have a surrogacy contract, it is not clear if the contract will stand in court as a custody agreement. Therefore, parents should consider obtaining a custody order in Nigeria to be certain their parental rights are recognized.
• Surrogacy for same-sex couples is illegal in Nigeria.
• If you decide to pursue parenthood in Nigeria via assisted reproductive technology (ART) with a gestational mother, be prepared for long delays in documenting your child’s citizenship. Be aware that individuals who attempt to circumvent local law risk criminal prosecution.

Water Quality :

• Tap water is unsafe.  Bottled water and beverages are generally safe.  Be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested, and  may use tap water to make ice for drinks.

Adventure Travel :

• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about  Adventure Travel .

General Health :

The following diseases are prevalent:

• Diarrheal illness
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Lassa Fever
• Meningococcal meningitis
• Schistosomiasis
• Trypanosomiasis
• Tuberculosis
• Yellow fever
• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control lists Nigeria as “critically high risk” for Malaria. Malaria is especially fatal in Nigeria and accounts for a high burden of disease and death in travelers.
• All travelers should take chemoprophylaxis, even for short stays, and even if they are African by descent.  
• Avoid being outdoors during dusk and dawn and wear clothing over exposed skin whenever possible. Sleep with windows closed and under air conditioning.
• Use the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended mosquito repellents and sleep under insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets.  
• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Resources for Travelers regarding specific issues in Nigeria.

Air Quality :

• Reliable air quality data for Nigeria is limited. However, satellite data suggests that on average it is significantly worse than in the United States. Poor waste management practices and commercial pollution exacerbate seasonal weather variations that affect air quality. Consider the impact seasonal smog and heavy particulate pollution may have on you, and consult your doctor before traveling if necessary.
• Infants, children, and teens.
• People over 65 years of age.
• People with lung disease such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. 
• People with heart disease or diabetes. 
• People who work or are active outdoors. 
• Travelers with allergies and/or respiratory disease may experience illness and are encouraged to bring ample supply of prescription medications.

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety : Roads are generally in poor condition, causing damage to vehicles and contributing to hazardous traffic conditions. There are few working traffic lights or stop signs, and few traffic officers to manage traffic during power outages. The rainy season, generally from May to October, is especially dangerous because of flooded roads and water-concealed potholes.

All drivers and passengers should wear seat belts, lock doors, and keep windows closed. You should have appropriate automobile insurance.  Drivers and passengers of vehicles involved in accidents resulting in injury or death have experienced extra-judicial actions, i.e., mob attacks, official consequences such as fines and incarceration, and/or confrontations with the victim's family.

Driving between 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. should be done with extreme caution.  Automobiles, trucks, or “okadas” (motorbikes) often drive on the wrong side of the road or on sidewalks.

Traffic Laws : Motor vehicle accidents can be reported by dialing “119.” Traffic control officers may occasionally seek bribes when citing drivers for traffic violations. If stopped by traffic police, drivers should stop as instructed. However, drivers should also keep their doors locked and only roll their windows down an inch for sound. Do not pay any bribes.If requested to drive an officer to the police station, do not do so, especially at night, as some traffic police are imposters.

Public Transportation :  We recommend avoiding public transportation throughout Nigeria. Public transportation vehicles, such as buses and motorbikes, are unsafe due to poor maintenance, high speeds, and overcrowding. Motorbikes are banned within Abuja's city limits and many major thoroughfares in Lagos. “Okada” drivers and passengers are required to wear helmets in several cities; police can fine violators on the spot.

See our  Road Safety page  for more information, and visit Nigeria’s  Federal Road Safety Corps  website.

Aviation Safety Oversight : The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Nigeria’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel : Mariners planning travel to Nigeria or through the Gulf of Guinea should also check for  U.S. maritime advisories and alerts . Information may also be posted to the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the  ICC  and  NGA  broadcast warnings.

The Commandant of the Coast Guard has determined that effective anti-terrorism measures are not in place in Nigeria ports and has imposed conditions of entry on vessels that arrive in U.S. ports having visited ports in Nigeria. Mariners and passengers on commercial vessels traveling through the ports of Nigeria should exercise increased caution.

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Nigeria . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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International court issues war crimes warrant for Putin

The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes because of his alleged involvement in abductions of children from Ukraine. (March 17)

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on the social and economic development of Crimea and Sevastopol via a videoconference at the Moscow’s Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 17, 2023. (Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

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FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to the media after the summit of Caspian Sea littoral states in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Thursday, June 30, 2022. The International Criminal Court said Friday, March 17, 2023 it has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes because of his alleged involvement in abductions of children from Ukraine. (Dmitry Azarov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)

FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to Governor of Magadan Region Sergey Nosov via videoconference at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia, on Oct. 21, 2022. The International Criminal Court said Friday, March 17, 2023 it has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes because of his alleged involvement in abductions of children from Ukraine. (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

FILE - The exterior view of the International Criminal Court are pictured in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday, March 31, 2021. The International Criminal Court said Friday, March 17, 2023 it has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes because of his alleged involvement in abductions of children from Ukraine. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to winners of cultural, scientific and sports student competitions at the Museum and Theatre Educational Complex in Kaliningrad, Russia, on Sept. 1, 2022. The International Criminal Court said Friday, March 17, 2023 it has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes because of his alleged involvement in abductions of children from Ukraine. (Alexey Maishev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)

THE HAGUE (AP) — The International Criminal Court said Friday that it has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes, accusing him of personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine .

It was the first time the global court has issued a warrant against a leader of one of the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council.

The ICC said in a statement that Putin “is allegedly responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation of (children) and that of unlawful transfer of (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation.”

The move was immediately dismissed by Moscow — and welcomed by Ukraine as a major breakthrough.

Its practical implications, however, could be limited as the chances of Putin facing trial at the ICC are highly unlikely because Moscow does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction or extradite its nationals.

But the moral condemnation will likely stain the Russian leader for the rest of his life — and in the more immediate future whenever he seeks to attend an international summit in a nation bound to arrest him.

“So Putin might go to China, Syria, Iran, his ... few allies, but he just won’t travel to the rest of the world and won’t travel to ICC member states who he believes would ... arrest him,” said Adil Ahmad Haque, an expert in international law and armed conflict at Rutgers University.

Others agreed. “Vladimir Putin will forever be marked as a pariah globally. He has lost all his political credibility around the world. Any world leader who stands by him will be shamed as well,” David Crane, a former international prosecutor, told The Associated Press.

The court also issued a warrant for the arrest of Maria Lvova-Belova, the commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation. The AP reported on her involvement in the abduction of Ukrainian orphans in October, in the first investigation to follow the process all the way to Russia, relying on dozens of interviews and documents.

ICC President Piotr Hofmanski said in a video statement that while the ICC’s judges have issued the warrants, it will be up to the international community to enforce them. The court has no police force of its own to do so.

The ICC can impose a maximum sentence of life imprisonment “when justified by the extreme gravity of the crime,” according to its founding treaty, the Rome Statute, that established it as a permanent court of last resort to prosecute political leaders and other key perpetrators of the world’s worst atrocities — war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Still, the chances of Putin or Lvova-Belova facing trial remain extremely remote, as Moscow does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction — a position it vehemently reaffirmed Friday.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia doesn’t recognize the ICC and considers its decisions “legally void.” He called the court’s move “outrageous and unacceptable.”

Peskov refused to comment when asked if Putin would avoid making trips to countries where he could be arrested on the ICC’s warrant.

Ukraine’s human rights chief, Dmytro Lubinets, has said that based on data from the country’s National Information Bureau, 16,226 children were deported. Ukraine has managed to bring back 308 children.

Lvova-Belova, who was also implicated in the warrants, reacted with dripping sarcasm. “It is great that the international community has appreciated the work to help the children of our country, that we do not leave them in war zones, that we take them out, we create good conditions for them, that we surround them with loving, caring people,” she said.

Ukrainian officials were jubilant at the move.

In his nightly address to the nation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it a “historic decision, from which historic responsibility will begin.”

Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukraine’s U.N. ambassador, recalled that on the night of Russia’s invasion, “I said at the Security Council meeting that there is no purgatory for war criminals, they go straight to hell. Today, I would like to say that those of them who will remain alive after the military defeat of Russia will have to make a stop in The Hague on their way to hell.”

In Washington, President Joe Biden called the ICC’s decision “justified,” telling reporters as he left the White House for his Delaware home that Putin “clearly committed war crimes.” While the US does not recognize the court either, Biden said it “makes a very strong point” to call out the Russian leader’s actions in ordering the invasion.

Olga Lopatkina, a Ukrainian mother who struggled for months to reclaim her foster children who were deported to an institution run by Russian loyalists, welcomed news of the arrest warrant. “Everyone must be punished for their crimes,” she said in a message exchange with the AP.

While Ukraine is also not a member of the global court, it has granted it jurisdiction over its territory and ICC prosecutor Karim Khan has visited four times since opening an investigation a year ago.

Besides Russia and Ukraine, the United States and China are not members of the 123-member ICC.

The ICC said its pre-trial chamber found “reasonable grounds” that Putin “bears individual criminal responsibility” for the child abductions “for having committed the acts directly, jointly with others and/or through others” and for failing to “exercise control properly over civilian and military subordinates who committed the acts.”

During a visit this month, ICC prosecutor Khan said he went to a care home for children 2 kilometers (just over a mile) from front lines in southern Ukraine.

“The drawings pinned on the wall ... spoke to a context of love and support that was once there,” he said in a statement. “But this home was empty, a result of alleged deportation of children from Ukraine to the Russian Federation or their unlawful transfer to other parts of the temporarily occupied territories.”

“As I noted to the United Nations Security Council last September, these alleged acts are being investigated by my office as a priority. Children cannot be treated as the spoils of war,” Khan said.

And while Russia rejected the allegations and warrants, others said the ICC action will have an important impact.

“The ICC has made Putin a wanted man and taken its first step to end the impunity that has emboldened perpetrators in Russia’s war against Ukraine for far too long,” said Balkees Jarrah, associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch. “The warrants send a clear message that giving orders to commit, or tolerating, serious crimes against civilians may lead to a prison cell in The Hague.”

Crane, who indicted Liberian President Charles Taylor 20 years ago for crimes in Sierra Leone, said dictators and tyrants around the world “are now on notice that those who commit international crimes will be held accountable.”

Taylor was eventually detained and put on trial at a special court in the Netherlands. He was convicted and sentenced to 50 years’ imprisonment.

On Thursday, a U.N.-backed inquiry cited Russian attacks against civilians in Ukraine, including systematic torture and killing in occupied regions, among potential issues that amount to war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity.

The sweeping investigation also found crimes committed against Ukrainians on Russian territory, including deported Ukrainian children who were prevented from reuniting with their families, a “filtration” system aimed at singling out Ukrainians for detention, and torture and inhumane detention conditions.

On Friday, the ICC put the face of Putin on the child abduction allegations.

Casert reported from Brussels. AP writers Hanna Arhirova in Kyiv, Ukraine; Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington and Sarah El Deeb in Beirut contributed.

___ Follow AP’s coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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