The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) has issued an update to its travel advisory for Nigeria, warning British citizens against travel to 21 states due to what it terms escalating insecurity.
The FCDO mentioned increased threats from terrorism, violent crime, and kidnappings across multiple regions. The advisory recommends against all travel to six northern states; Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, and Zamfara, due to high threats from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA).
The FCDO’s warning emphasized the persistent and multifaceted security challenges facing Nigeria. These threats span across the North-East, destabilized by the Boko Haram insurgency, the North-West faces rampant banditry and mass abductions, the North-Central deals with inter-communal conflict and militancy, and the South-East is experiencing rising tensions from secessionist groups.
FCDO specifically warned about the targets of terrorist and criminal groups;
There is a high and increasing threat from Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa, particularly around transport hubs, religious areas and large gatherings. Humanitarian personnel, vehicles, supplies and infrastructure can be targeted by terrorists and criminals
The Nigerian government often responds to such warnings by listing counter-terrorism achievements and security measures, such as enhanced inter-agency cooperation and the conviction of terrorists. However, FCDO maintains that travelers should heed their updated guidance, particularly in Lagos, where they warn against “high levels of crime, particularly on the mainland,” and against moving around at night.
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