The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a new travel advisory warning its citizens against visiting several parts of Nigeria, citing escalating insecurity, terrorism, violent crime, and kidnapping across multiple regions.
In the latest Foreign Travel Advice published on GOV.UK on Sunday, the FCDO said: “Insecurity is increasing across Nigeria. Kidnapping, violent crime, and intercommunal violence occur throughout all regions of Nigeria.”
The UK government advised British nationals to exercise extreme caution, review their safety procedures, and ensure they have contingency plans in place.
According to the advisory, Britons are strongly warned 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,” especially around transport hubs, religious centres, and large gatherings.
It also cautioned that humanitarian workers, vehicles, and infrastructure could be targeted by terrorists and criminals.
The FCDO further 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.
“Violent crime, often involving firearms, has increased and spread from the outer suburbs to more central, wealthier areas of the city,” the FCDO said.
“British Government staff in Nigeria have been advised to restrict travel to an area broadly within the Abuja metropolitan area.”
It also warned that protests in Abuja could erupt without notice and sometimes turn violent, urging travellers to “avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, and follow instructions from local police and security forces.”
The advisory described the North-East as particularly volatile, noting that “regular military operations are ongoing in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States,” with a “risk of retaliatory attacks.” Those in Maiduguri were cautioned that, should security worsen, “it could be extremely difficult to leave the city.”
In the South-East and South-South, the FCDO advised against all travel to riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States, warning that militant groups remain active and that “there’s a high risk of armed robbery, criminality, and kidnap.”
It further noted that secessionist groups in the South-East often clash with security forces, adding that while foreign nationals are not typically targeted, “there is a risk you could be caught in an attack.”
The advisory also flagged the South-West, including Lagos, as prone to violent crime such as mugging, carjacking, kidnapping, and armed robbery, particularly in the larger cities.
While large-scale terrorist attacks are rare, the FCDO recalled that Islamic State West Africa claimed two incidents in 2022, though none directly targeted foreign nationals.
Travellers were urged to remain cautious when moving around Lagos—especially on the mainland—and to avoid travelling at night.
The advisory concluded: “Be alert and take any security advice given by your hotel, employer or hosts. Make sure your safety procedures and contingency plans are up to date.”
Nigeria continues to face widespread security challenges driven by terrorism, banditry, separatist movements, and communal clashes. Despite military gains against insurgents, groups such as Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and various bandit networks remain active across the North, while the South-East and Niger Delta regions grapple with separatist tensions and criminal militancy.