Insecurity: UK Cautions Citizens Against Travelling to Six Nigerian States

The United Kingdom has issued a fresh travel warning to its citizens, urging them to avoid several parts of Nigeria amid what it described as a sharp rise in insecurity across the country.

In its latest advisory, released by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the British government noted that violent crimes, kidnappings, and communal clashes have become widespread in nearly all regions of Nigeria.

According to the statement published on the UK government’s official website, British nationals were advised to remain alert, reassess personal safety plans, and prepare for emergencies.

“The level of insecurity is worsening in Nigeria. Incidents of abduction, armed violence, and intercommunal attacks are reported across many areas,” the FCDO stated.

The advisory specifically listed Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, and Zamfara as states to be completely avoided due to “an escalating threat from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa.” 

These areas, the UK warned, remain highly volatile, especially around places of worship, markets, and transport hubs.

A senior British security official in Abuja, who preferred not to be named, told Afripost that the advice is based on “recent intelligence reports showing a surge in coordinated attacks and bandit activities.” 

He added that “foreigners could be exposed to danger if caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

The statement also noted that humanitarian workers and aid convoys have become prime targets for criminal groups in northern Nigeria. 

“Even humanitarian personnel, vehicles, and supplies have faced violent assaults,” the FCDO cautioned.

Furthermore, the UK 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. 

It expressed concern that armed robbery and kidnapping incidents have spread from remote areas to the central parts of the capital city.

The FCDO revealed that British officials posted in Nigeria are currently restricted to movements within the Abuja metropolitan area due to persistent threats.

It also highlighted growing tensions in the Federal Capital Territory, warning that protests occasionally erupt in Abuja and may quickly turn violent. 

“Monitor local media, stay away from demonstrations and follow instructions from security agencies,” the advisory read.

In the North-East, the UK noted that ongoing military operations in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe have not entirely quelled insurgent activities, warning that retaliatory attacks could occur at any time. 

It advised travellers in Maiduguri that evacuation during emergencies may be “extremely challenging” given the security situation.

The warning also extended to the oil-rich South-South and South-East regions, particularly the riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states. 

Furthermore, the FCDO said these zones remain dangerous due to militant activities, frequent kidnappings, and piracy.

In addition, the advisory pointed to the continued presence of separatist movements in the South-East, noting that violent clashes between these groups and security forces are common. 

Although foreigners are not the main targets, the FCDO warned that “they risk being caught in crossfire during such incidents.”

In the South-West, including Lagos, the UK observed that “mugging, car-jacking, and kidnapping” are still frequent crimes, especially in urban centres. 

While large-scale terror attacks are rare, the office reminded citizens that the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed responsibility for two incidents in 2022.

British nationals were therefore urged to exercise caution when moving around Lagos, particularly at night. The advisory recommended that travellers seek security guidance from hotels or employers before embarking on local trips.

A Lagos-based security analyst, Tunde Adebayo, disclosed that the renewed warning “reflects the international community’s concern about Nigeria’s deteriorating security climate.” 

He urged the government to “prioritize intelligence sharing, boost local policing, and restore confidence in the safety of residents and visitors.”

The UK government emphasized that the situation remains fluid and could change rapidly. It pledged to continue monitoring developments and updating its travel guidance as necessary.