The United Kingdom has released a renewed travel advisory for its citizens in Nigeria, citing worsening insecurity, a surge in violent crimes, and widespread kidnappings across the country.
In the latest Foreign Travel Advice published on the UK government’s official website, the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) said the security situation in Nigeria “is deteriorating,” with kidnapping, violent crime, and intercommunal clashes recorded in several regions.
The advisory urged British nationals in Nigeria to exercise extreme caution, review personal safety measures, and maintain emergency contingency plans.
According to the FCDO, the UK government now advises against all travel to six northern states—Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, and Zamfara—due to “a high and increasing threat” from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). It warned that terrorist and criminal groups may target humanitarian workers, vehicles, and aid supplies in these areas.
Similarly, the advisory discouraged all but essential travel to Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, and Taraba States, as well as the outskirts of Abuja. The UK noted that violent crime involving firearms has spread from the suburbs into central and wealthier districts of the capital.
British government staff in Nigeria have reportedly been instructed to limit movement within the Abuja metropolitan area. The FCDO also cautioned that protests in Abuja can escalate rapidly, advising citizens to avoid large gatherings and adhere to local security directives.
In the North-East, where the Nigerian military continues operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents, the advisory warned that conditions in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States remain volatile. It added that if security worsens in Maiduguri, “it could become extremely difficult to leave the city.”
The FCDO also warned against travel to riverine communities in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States due to ongoing militant activities targeting oil and gas infrastructure. It highlighted persistent risks of armed robbery, abduction, and violent crime in the Niger Delta.
In the South-East, the advisory cited threats from “secessionist groups,” noting that violent clashes between these groups and security forces are common. Although foreign nationals are not the primary targets, travellers could inadvertently be caught in attacks.
The South-West, including Lagos, was not exempt. The advisory described crimes such as mugging, carjacking, and kidnapping as “common,” particularly in major cities. While large-scale terrorist incidents are infrequent, the FCDO recalled that Islamic State West Africa claimed two attacks in 2022, though none involved foreigners.
Travellers were advised to remain vigilant when moving around Lagos, especially on the mainland, and to avoid night travel. The FCDO concluded by urging anyone in high-risk zones to “stay alert, follow security advice, and ensure their safety procedures and contingency plans are up to date.”
