By: Sunday Ameh
The United Kingdom has issued a fresh travel advisory to its citizens, warning against travel to several parts of Nigeria due to worsening insecurity, terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crimes across the country.
In a new Foreign Travel Advice published on GOV.UK and obtained by Starnews NG on Sunday, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said that insecurity “is increasing across Nigeria,” noting that kidnapping, violent crime, and intercommunal violence occur in all regions.
The FCDO urged British nationals residing in or visiting Nigeria to exercise extreme caution, review their security measures, and ensure they have contingency plans in place.
According to the advisory, the UK government advised against all travel to six northern states — Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, and Zamfara — due to the high threat from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacks, especially around transport hubs, religious sites, and large gatherings.
It also warned 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 (FCT).
“Violent crime, often involving firearms, has increased and spread from the outer suburbs to more central, wealthier areas of the city,” the statement noted, adding that British diplomatic staff in Nigeria have been ordered to restrict movement to central Abuja.
The advisory further cautioned humanitarian workers and organizations, saying they could become targets of terrorists and criminals.
In the Niger Delta region, including Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states, the UK warned against travel due to ongoing militant activities, attacks on oil and gas facilities, and frequent cases of kidnapping.
“Militant groups are active across the Niger Delta and have carried out several attacks on oil and gas infrastructure. There’s a high risk of armed robbery, criminality, and kidnap,” the FCDO said.
The UK government also cited the South-East as a flashpoint of insecurity, noting that separatist movements frequently clash with security forces, while in the South-West, crimes such as armed robbery, carjacking, and kidnapping are “common,” especially in Lagos and other major cities.
“Travellers should be cautious when travelling in Lagos, particularly on the mainland, and avoid movement at night,” it advised.
Although large-scale terrorist attacks are uncommon in the South-West, the FCDO recalled that Islamic State West Africa claimed responsibility for two attacks in 2022.
The advisory concluded by urging British nationals to monitor local media reports, avoid protests, and obey instructions from local security agencies while in Nigeria.
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