The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has released an updated travel advisory cautioning its citizens about the worsening security situation across Nigeria.
The advisory, published on GOV.UK and obtained by SaharaReporters on Sunday, highlights an alarming rise in kidnappings, violent crimes, terrorism, and intercommunal clashes across various parts of the country.
British nationals residing in or traveling to Nigeria have been urged to exercise “extreme caution,”enhance their personal security measures, and maintain robust contingency plans.
The FCDO specifically advised against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, and Zamfara States, citing the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The advisory warns that transport hubs, religious centers, and public gatherings remain potential targets for attacks.
Humanitarian workers operating in these regions have also been alerted to the increased risk of being targeted.
The UK government further 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, due to rising incidents of violent crime.
In the North-East, ongoing military operations in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe have created additional security risks, with fears of retaliatory attacks making cities such as Maiduguri particularly unsafe.
The advisory also discourages travel to the Niger Delta states such as Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River, where militant attacks, oil infrastructure sabotage, and kidnappings are common.
In the South-East, tensions remain high amid clashes between secessionist groups and security forces, creating potential dangers for foreigners and locals alike.
Also, the South-West, including Lagos, is not immune to rising crime. The FCDO reported an increase in armed robberies, car-jackings, and kidnappings, particularly in major cities and during nighttime.
While large-scale terrorist attacks are less frequent in the region, the advisory noted that ISWAP has previously claimed responsibility for assaults in 2022.
