By THE United Kingdom has advised its citizens to avoid travel to several parts of Nigeria, citing concerns over terrorism, violent crime, kidnappings, and intercommunal clashes.
This was contained in the latest Foreign Travel Advice released on GOV.UK and sighted on Sunday.
According to the advisory, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) noted that insecurity “is increasing across Nigeria,” adding that “kidnapping, violent crime, and intercommunal violence occur throughout all regions of Nigeria.”
The FCDO urged British nationals to exercise extreme caution, review their safety procedures, and ensure they have contingency plans in place.
The Office advised against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, and Zamfara States, citing a “high and increasing threat from Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa, particularly around transport hubs, religious areas and large gatherings.”
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It warned that “humanitarian personnel, vehicles, supplies, and infrastructure can be targeted by terrorists and criminals.”
The FCDO also advised against all but essential travel to Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, and Taraba States, as well as the outer suburbs of Abuja within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“Violent crime, often involving firearms, has increased and spread from the outer suburbs to more central, wealthier areas of the city,” the advisory added.
“British Government staff in Nigeria have been advised to restrict travel to an area broadly within the Abuja metropolitan area.”
It further highlighted that protests in Abuja could become flashpoints for violence.
“There are protests in Abuja from time to time, which can turn violent. Monitor local media, avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, and follow instructions from local police and security forces,” the FCDO cautioned.
The advisory painted a particularly alarming picture of the North-East, noting that “regular military operations are ongoing in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States,” and warning of “a risk of retaliatory attacks.”
UK citizens in Maiduguri were also cautioned that “if security were to deteriorate any further, it could be extremely difficult for you to leave the city.”
In the South-East and South-South regions, the FCDO warned against all travel to “the riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.”
“Militant groups are active across the Niger Delta region and have carried out many attacks on oil and gas infrastructure,” it stated, adding that “there is a high risk of armed robbery, criminality and kidnap” in the region.
Expressing concern over “secessionist groups active in the South-East,” the advisory added that “attacks and violent clashes often occur with the military and other security forces.”
It warned travellers that “although foreign nationals are not normally targeted, there is a risk you could be caught in an attack.”
Similarly, in the South-West, including Lagos, the government described violent crimes such as “mugging, kidnapping, car-jacking and armed robbery” as “common, particularly in the larger cities.”
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