LAGOS — The United Kingdom has warned its citizens against travelling to 21 states across Nigeria, citing widespread insecurity, violent crime, and kidnappings.
In a travel advisory updated on October 21 and still valid as of Sunday, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said that “kidnapping, violent crime, and intercommunal clashes continue to occur across Nigeria.”
The British government advised against all travel to the northeastern states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and Gombe, pointing to “ongoing military operations and threats of retaliatory attacks.” It said only essential travel should be made to Bauchi State, warning of “a high and increasing threat from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa,” especially around transportation hubs, religious centres, and large gatherings.
In the northwest, the FCDO urged citizens to avoid Katsina and Zamfara entirely and limit visits to Kaduna, Kebbi, Jigawa, and Sokoto to essential purposes. “Banditry, kidnappings, and violent attacks remain prevalent in these areas,” the advisory said.
The caution extended to parts of north-central Nigeria, including Niger, Kogi, Plateau, and Taraba, as well as the federal capital, Abuja, where the UK noted a rise in violent crimes — often involving firearms — spreading “from suburban areas into wealthier parts of the city.” It also warned that protests in the capital “can turn violent without warning.”
In the southeast, the advisory discouraged non-essential travel to Abia, Anambra, and Imo, as well as non-riverine parts of Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers states, citing the activities of secessionist movements. For Lagos, it noted a “high level of street crime, particularly on the mainland.”
The advisory further warned British citizens to exercise caution against scams, fraudulent fertility clinics, and fake adoption schemes. “The UK has banned overseas adoptions from Nigeria,” it stated, cautioning that bringing a non-biological child into the country without legal authorization could result in prosecution or loss of citizenship rights for the child.
Travellers were also advised to “avoid withdrawing cash from ATMs at night” and be wary of “romance and job-related scams.”
The FCDO additionally warned against consuming unlicensed alcoholic beverages after several deaths linked to methanol poisoning. “Avoid drinking unlicensed products,” it said, stressing that methanol “cannot be detected by taste or smell.”
It concluded with a reminder about unsafe swimming conditions along Nigeria’s coastline. “Rip tides and strong undertows are common and have resulted in drowning incidents,” the advisory said.
“You should monitor local media, follow the advice of local authorities, and maintain a high level of vigilance at all times,” the FCDO added.
