18/10/2021
The United Kingdom (UK) has warned its citizens
against travelling to twelve states in Nigeria over
insecurity issues.
This was disclosed in a travel advisory published by
the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Office (FCDO).
The UK government warned its citizens of a high
threat of kidnap throughout Nigeria for ideological,
financial or political gain.
Citizens have been warned to stay away from these
twelve states; Borno, Yobe, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Gombe,
Kaduna, Katsina,Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Zamfara,
and Adamawa states.
The FCDO also advised its citizens against all but
essential travel to Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa , Niger,
Sokoto, Kogi within 20km of the border with Niger
in Kebbi and Abia States respectively.
Part of the advisory read: “Foreign nationals,
including humanitarian workers, are likely targets for
kidnap. Humanitarian hubs and humanitarian
workers have been targeted during attacks in the
North East, including Monguno, Borno State on 13
June 2020.
“The security environment in the North East has
deteriorated since 2018 and there is a heightened
risk of kidnapping of humanitarian and private
sector workers.
“There are also reports that Boko Haram and
Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) have an active
plan to kidnap foreigners. As well as in North-East
Nigeria, extremist groups operate in some northern
and middle belt states including Bauchi, Gombe,
Kano, Kogi, Kaduna, Niger and Adamawa states.
“If you are working or travelling in these States then
you should be aware of the risk of terrorist
kidnapping.”
The UK government, highlighting the level of
insecurity in the country, also warned against
attacks and killings in South-East regions.
“There have also been a number of attacks and
targeted killings in the South-east and South-South
regions of Nigeria, including in the states of Akwa
Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Abia, Anambra, Delta, Edo and
Ebonyi. Some of these attacks have been on
isolated roads and in remote locations.