Travel Alert: UK Issues Grave Warning for Nigeria Due to Terrorism and Kidnap Risk

The United Kingdom government, through its Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), has issued a stern travel advisory warning its citizens against all travel to numerous states and regions across Nigeria, citing a significant increase in insecurity, terrorism, kidnapping, and intercommunal violence. This comprehensive warning underscores the widespread nature of threats throughout the West African nation, prompting a reevaluation of travel plans for British nationals.

Specifically, the FCDO advises against all travel to 11 states and parts of the country. These include the North Eastern states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and Gombe, where the threat from terrorist groups is particularly acute. In the North West, Katsina and Zamfara States are also under this strictest advisory due to frequent banditry and a high threat of kidnap. Furthermore, the riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States in the South South region are deemed too dangerous for any travel, with "riverine areas" defined as "river and swamp locations accessible by boat, but not by road."

Beyond these specific prohibitions, the FCDO has also cautioned against "all but essential travel" to 17 other states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This category includes Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, Taraba, Kwara, and Benue States, as well as the outer suburbs of Abuja. Other states where only essential trips are recommended include Abia State, and the non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers States, along with Anambra and Imo States. Even in Lagos, citizens are urged to exercise caution, particularly on the mainland, which experiences high levels of crime and unpredictable security.

Regional analyses within the advisory detail specific threats. In the North East, a "high and increasing threat" from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP) targets transport hubs, religious areas, large gatherings, and humanitarian personnel, vehicles, and infrastructure. Regular military operations in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States also elevate the risk of retaliatory attacks. The North West faces frequent banditry, violent attacks, and a "high threat of kidnap," with trains remaining vulnerable to assault. In the Niger Delta, militant groups remain active, conducting attacks on oil and gas infrastructure, alongside a high risk of armed robbery, criminality, and kidnapping.

The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, is specifically flagged, noting an increase in violent crime involving firearms that has spread from the outer suburbs to more central, wealthier areas. British government staff in Nigeria are instructed to restrict their travel to an area broadly within the Abuja metropolitan zone. Protests in Abuja are also noted to have the potential to turn violent. The advisory highlights recent increases in intercommunal violence in Benue and Kwara States, resulting in a number of reported deaths.

The South East region is characterized by active secessionist groups, leading to frequent attacks and clashes with security forces. In Imo State, there is an emerging, though still low, trend of secessionist groups utilizing improvised explosive devices. Across Nigeria, terrorists are "very likely" to attempt attacks, with ISWAP and Boko Haram posing the primary threat, predominantly based in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa. However, the advisory points out that since 2021, attacks associated with terrorist groups have also occurred in a wider range of states including Gombe, Niger, Kaduna, Kogi, Bauchi, Ondo, Zamfara, Taraba, Jigawa, Sokoto, Edo, Kano, and the FCT.

Kidnapping is identified as "widespread across Nigeria," with particular severity in the North West (Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Borno, Sokoto) and high prevalence in many central and southern states, including Niger, Kogi, Kwara, and the FCT. Criminal groups frequently intercept vehicles on major highways, such as the Abuja-Kaduna highway and the Enugu-Awka-Onitsha expressway. British nationals of Nigerian origin visiting family and expatriates working for international firms are identified as potential targets due to a perceived access to funds.

Regarding road travel, the FCDO warns against night travel, especially in North Central Nigeria, due to poor road conditions, low driving standards, and a high incidence of fatalities. It also highlights the presence of illegal vehicle checkpoints on major northern routes, such as the Maiduguri-Damaturu road. In Lagos, street crime, mugging, carjacking, and armed robbery are common, particularly on the mainland. Furthermore, piracy and armed robbery remain significant threats in Nigerian waters and the Niger Delta.

To mitigate risks, the FCDO urges UK citizens to exercise extra caution during elections, religious periods, and public holidays. They are advised to avoid demonstrations, monitor local media for updates, vary their travel patterns to avoid predictability, and travel only in daylight hours where possible. Crucially, British nationals are encouraged to keep their emergency and extraction plans thoroughly updated.