The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office has issued a fresh warning against travel to parts of Nigeria, citing escalating insecurity, violent crime, terrorism, and kidnappings across multiple regions.In its latest Foreign Travel Advice published on GOV.UK and sighted by our correspondent on Sunday, the FCDO stated, “Insecurity is increasing across Nigeria. Kidnapping, violent crime, and intercommunal violence occur throughout all regions of Nigeria.”
The advisory urged British nationals to exercise extreme caution, review safety procedures, and ensure they have contingency plans in place.
The FCDO advised against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, and Zamfara states, citing a “high and increasing threat from Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa, particularly around transport hubs, religious areas and large gatherings.”
The statement warned that “humanitarian personnel, vehicles, supplies, and infrastructure can be targeted by terrorists and criminals.”
In addition, the UK government advised against all but essential travel to Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, and Taraba states, as well as the outer suburbs of Abuja within the Federal Capital Territory.
The FCDO said, “Violent crime, often involving firearms, has increased and spread from the outer suburbs to more central, wealthier areas of the city.”
It added that “British Government staff in Nigeria have been advised to restrict travel to an area broadly within the Abuja metropolitan area.”
Protests in Abuja were also noted as potential flashpoints.
“There are protests in Abuja from time to time, which can turn violent. Monitor local media, avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, and follow instructions from local police and security forces,” it added.
The advisory paints a particularly alarming picture of the North-East region, where “regular military operations are ongoing in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states” and there remains “a risk of retaliatory attacks.”
Those in Maiduguri were cautioned that “if security were to deteriorate any further, it could be extremely difficult for you to leave the city.”
In the South-East and South-South regions, the FCDO warns against all travel to “the riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.”
The department stated that “militant groups are active across the Niger Delta region and have carried out many attacks on oil and gas infrastructure.”
It further cautioned that “there’s a high risk of armed robbery, criminality and kidnap” in the region.
The advisory also raised concern over “secessionist groups active in the south-east,” noting that “attacks and violent clashes often occur with the military and other security forces” and warning travellers that “although foreign nationals are not normally targeted, there is a risk you could be caught in an attack.”
In the South-West, including Lagos, the government described violent crimes such as “mugging, kidnapping, car-jacking and armed robbery” as “common, particularly in the larger cities.”
While large-scale terrorist attacks are rare, “Islamic State West Africa claimed two attacks in 2022,” though none targeted foreign nationals.
Travellers were advised to “be cautious when travelling in Lagos, particularly on the mainland,” and to avoid moving around at night.
The FCDO concluded its guidance by urging anyone currently in high-risk areas to “be alert and take any security advice given by your hotel, employer or your hosts,” and to “make sure your safety procedures and contingency plans are up to date.”
Nigeria has faced persistent security challenges over the past decade, driven by a combination of terrorism, banditry, separatist movements, and communal conflicts.