UK warns nationals against travelling to 18 Nigerian states
The United Kingdom has warned its nationals against travelling to several parts of Nigeria, citing security concerns across the affected states.
The warning was contained in the latest foreign travel advice issued by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) yesterday.
The FCDO advised against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe states in the North-East, while it advised against all but essential travel to Bauchi State.
In the North-West, the British government advised its nationals against all travel to Katsina and Zamfara states.
It also advised against all but essential travel to Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa and Sokoto states.
The travel advisory extended to parts of North-Central Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, with the FCDO advising against all but essential travel to Niger, Kogi, Plateau, Taraba, Kwara and Benue states.
In the South-East and South-South, the UK government advised against all travel to riverine areas, particularly river and swamp locations accessible by boat but not by road.
The areas affected include riverine communities in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
The FCDO also advised against all but essential travel to Abia State, as well as non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states. Anambra and Imo states were also listed under the advisory.
The latest advisory forms part of the UK government’s continuing travel guidance for British nationals visiting or residing in Nigeria.
The FCDO regularly reviews its travel advice based on security developments, including risks associated with terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, communal violence and other threats.
Under its travel-warning system, an “advise against all travel” designation represents the highest level of caution, while “advise against all but essential travel” means British nationals are urged to make only essential journeys to the affected areas.
The UK government advises nationals to check its travel guidance before and during trips to Nigeria because security conditions can change rapidly.
The latest advisory comes amid continuing security challenges in parts of Nigeria, particularly the North-East and North-West, where insurgency, terrorism, banditry and kidnapping have remained major concerns.
British nationals in Nigeria have therefore been urged to take account of the FCDO’s security assessment when planning movement within the country.
