The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a fresh travel advisory noting a high level of insecurity in some Nigerian states.
The warning advises British nationals to avoid all travel to six key northern states namely; Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, and Zamfara citing a dangerous mix of spiraling insecurity, terrorism, violent crime, and rampant kidnappings.
The FCDO’s latest Foreign Travel Advice is unambiguous, cautioning that insecurity is not only high but increasing across Nigeria, with violent crime and intercommunal clashes widespread in all regions.
The highest threat level targets the six northern states due to a high and increasing threat from Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa, particularly around transport hubs and large gatherings.
The advisory paints an alarming picture of the North-East, where ongoing military operations heighten the risk of retaliatory attacks, and residents in Maiduguri are warned that any further security deterioration would make leaving the city extremely difficult.
The heightened caution extends across the country. The UK government advises against all but essential travel to ten additional states including Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, and Plateau—m along with the outer suburbs of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The warning highlights that violent crime in Abuja, often involving firearms, has spread from the suburbs to the central, wealthier areas, forcing British government staff to restrict their movements.
In the South, the advisory remains grim, warning against all travel to the riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states due to active militant groups targeting oil infrastructure and a high risk of armed robbery and kidnap.
Furthermore, the South-East is flagged for rising tensions linked to secessionist groups, warning travellers of the risk of being caught in violent clashes with security forces. Even major southern cities, including Lagos, are described as having common violent crimes like mugging, car-jacking, and armed robbery, urging caution particularly on the mainland and avoiding movement at night.
The advisory serves as a grim measure of Nigeria’s persistent security crisis, urging all British nationals currently in high-risk areas to be extremely alert, take all given security advice, and ensure their contingency plans are fully prepared.
Nigerian Presidency has recently affirmed that the country’s security is non-negotiable and pointed to an 81% decrease in terror-related deaths since 2015.
