The United Kingdom has issued a renewed travel advisory warning its citizens against visiting several Nigerian states, citing escalating insecurity, terrorism, kidnappings, and violent crime across the country.
The advisory, published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), noted that kidnapping and armed attacks continue to occur in all regions of Nigeria.
“Insecurity is increasing across Nigeria. Kidnapping, violent crime and intercommunal violence occur throughout all regions,” the advisory stated, urging British travellers to review security plans and maintain contingency options.
The UK government advised against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina and Zamfara, citing a heightened threat from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), particularly around transport hubs, religious spaces and large gatherings.
It warned that humanitarian workers, facilities and supplies may be deliberately targeted by armed groups.
The advisory also cautioned against all but essential travel to Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau and Taraba, as well as the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
According to the FCDO, violent crime involving firearms “has increased and spread from the outer suburbs to more central, wealthier areas of the city,” forcing British government staff in Nigeria to restrict movement within Abuja.
The UK further noted that protests in the capital could “turn violent” and advised travellers to monitor local media and avoid large gatherings.
In the North-east, the advisory described ongoing military operations in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe and warned of possible retaliatory attacks. It added that the security situation in Maiduguri could deteriorate quickly, complicating evacuation options.
Elsewhere, the FCDO warned against travel to riverine communities in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River, where militant groups remain active around oil and gas infrastructure.
The agency raised concerns about a high risk of armed robbery and kidnapping in the region.
It also highlighted rising secessionist agitation in parts of the South-east, warning travellers of clashes between armed groups and security forces. While foreign nationals are not typically targeted, the advisory notes the risk of being caught in crossfire.
In the South-west, including Lagos, crimes such as carjacking, mugging and armed robbery are described as common, especially at night and around the mainland.
Although large-scale terrorist attacks in urban centres are infrequent, the advisory referenced two ISWAP-claimed incidents in 2022.
Travellers currently in high-risk areas were urged to remain alert, follow security instructions from local authorities, hotels or employers, and ensure emergency plans are updated.
Nigeria continues to grapple with overlapping security crises, including insurgency in the North-east, banditry in the North-west, land and grazing-related conflict in the North-central, separatist violence in the South-east and militancy linked to oil theft in the Niger Delta.
