Insecurity: UK issues fresh travel warning for 6 Nigerian states

The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) has released an updated travel advisory, cautioning its citizens against visiting several parts of Nigeria due to rising insecurity, terrorism, and kidnapping incidents across the country.

In the latest advisory published on GOV.UK and reviewed by our correspondent on Sunday, the FCDO noted that “insecurity is increasing across Nigeria. Kidnapping, violent crime, and intercommunal violence occur throughout all regions of Nigeria.”

The agency urged British nationals to maintain heightened awareness, revisit their safety plans, and have contingency measures in place.

The advisory specifically 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, particularly around transport hubs, religious areas and large gatherings.”

It further stated that “humanitarian personnel, vehicles, supplies, and infrastructure can be targeted by terrorists and criminals.”

In addition, the UK government cautioned 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 in the Federal Capital Territory.

The FCDO noted, “Violent crime, often involving firearms, has increased and spread from the outer suburbs to more central, wealthier areas of the city,” adding that “British Government staff in Nigeria have been advised to restrict travel to an area broadly within the Abuja metropolitan area.”

It also mentioned that protests in the capital could turn violent: “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.”

The advisory painted a grim picture of the North-East, where “regular military operations are ongoing in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states” and “a risk of retaliatory attacks” persists. Travellers 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, the FCDO advised against travel to “the riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states,” noting that “militant groups are active across the Niger Delta region and have carried out many attacks on oil and gas infrastructure.”

The advisory also flagged a “high risk of armed robbery, criminality and kidnap” in the area.

It expressed additional concern over “secessionist groups active in the south-east,” warning that “attacks and violent clashes often occur with the military and other security forces” and 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 UK 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, it recalled that “Islamic State West Africa claimed two attacks in 2022,” though none targeted foreign nationals.

Travellers were reminded to “be cautious when travelling in Lagos, particularly on the mainland,” and avoid moving around after dark.

The FCDO concluded by urging anyone currently in high-risk zones 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 continues to grapple with multiple security crises, ranging from terrorism and banditry to separatist unrest and militancy. The Boko Haram insurgency, which began in 2009, has displaced millions and destabilised much of the North-East, while its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province, remains active in the region.

In the North-West and parts of the North-Central, armed bandit groups continue to stage mass abductions and extortion attacks. The South-East has witnessed increasing violence linked to pro-Biafra groups, while the Niger Delta and South-South regions remain prone to militancy and oil-related criminality despite years of relative calm.