The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a fresh travel advisory cautioning British nationals against visiting six Nigerian states due to escalating insecurity, violent crime, terrorism, and kidnappings.
The affected states are Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, and Zamfara, where threats from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa remain high, particularly around transport hubs, religious sites, and public gatherings.
The advisory also recommends avoiding all but essential travel to Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, Taraba, and the outer suburbs of Abuja.
British nationals were advised to exercise extreme caution, monitor local media, avoid protests or large gatherings, and follow instructions from local authorities.
The FCDO highlighted risks across Nigeria’s North-East, South-East, South-South, and South-West regions, citing active militant groups, secessionist activity, and rising violent crime in major cities including Lagos.
The advisory notes that while foreign nationals are not usually specifically targeted, travelers could be caught in attacks or criminal incidents.
Residents and visitors in the North-East, particularly in Maiduguri, were warned that worsening security could make leaving the city extremely difficult.
The FCDO emphasizes the importance of contingency planning and heightened vigilance for anyone traveling to affected areas.
