The United Kingdom government has issued a strong travel advisory, warning its citizens and foreign staff against many states in Nigeria over rising insecurity.
In the latest Foreign Travel Advice released on GOV.UK, the UK urged its nationals to exercise extreme caution, review safety procedures, and maintain contingency plans. It specifically warned against travel to “the riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States,” due to risks of kidnapping and violent crime.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) also cautioned against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, and Zamfara states, citing an “increasing threat from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa, especially around transport hubs, religious centres, and large gatherings.”
The advisory noted that insecurity “is increasing across Nigeria,” adding that kidnapping, violent crime, and intercommunal violence occur in all regions. It said militant groups remain active across the Niger Delta and have attacked oil and gas installations, while “armed robbery, criminality and kidnappings” remain prevalent.
It further warned of “secessionist groups active in the South-East,” where violent clashes with security forces are frequent. “Although foreign nationals are not normally targeted, there is a risk of being caught in an attack,” the statement read.
The UK government also flagged rising violent crimes in the South-West, including Lagos, describing “mugging, car-jacking, armed robbery and kidnapping” as common, especially in major cities.
It advised against all but essential travel to Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, and Taraba states, and to the outer suburbs of Abuja, warning that “violent crime involving firearms has spread from the outskirts to central areas.”
British officials in Nigeria have been instructed to restrict movement to within the Abuja metropolitan area, while citizens were cautioned to avoid protests and large gatherings as demonstrations in the capital “can turn violent.”
The advisory painted an especially grim picture of the North-East, noting ongoing military operations and a persistent risk of retaliatory attacks. It added that should the situation in Maiduguri worsen, “it could become extremely difficult for foreign nationals to leave the city.”
