Nigeria Travel Risk

Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and inconsistent availability of health care services. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Crime and Kidnapping

Violent crime is common throughout Nigeria. This includes armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking, roadside banditry, and rape.

• Kidnappings for ransom happen often.
• They primarily target dual national citizens visiting Nigeria.
• Americans are perceived as wealthy and are often targets of crime and kidnapping.
• Kidnapping gangs have stopped drivers on interstate roads in order to rob and kidnap victims.

Terrorism

There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Nigeria.

Terrorists continue plotting and carrying out attacks in Nigeria. Terrorists collaborate with local gangs to expand their reach. They may attack with little or no warning, including:

• Shopping centers and malls
• Markets
• Hotels
• Places of worship
• Restaurants and bars
• Schools
• Government buildings
• Transportation hubs
• Public places where crowds gather

Do Not Travel to:

• Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, northern Adamawa states due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.
• Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states due to unrest, crime, and kidnapping.
• Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt) due to crime, kidnapping, and unrest.

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

North East Nigeria

FCDO advises against all travel to:

• Borno State
• Yobe State
• Adamawa State
• Gombe State

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• Bauchi State

North West Nigeria

FCDO advises against all travel to:

• Katsina State
• Zamfara State
• Sokoto State

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• Kaduna State
• Kano State
• Kebbi State
• Jigawa State

North Central Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, including Abuja

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• Niger State
• Kogi State
• Plateau State
• Taraba State
• Kwara State
• Benue State

South East and South South Nigeria

FCDO advises against all travel to the riverine areas (the river and swamp locations accessible by boat, but not by road) of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• Abia State
• non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers States
• Anambra State
• Imo State

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and regional risks advice.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Nigeria

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Nigeria.

The primary terrorist threat in Nigeria comes from Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) and Boko Haram. These groups are mainly based in north-east Nigeria in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. Since 2021, there have also been attacks likely associated with terrorist groups in the following states: Borno, Gombe, Niger, Kaduna, Kogi, Bauchi, Ondo, Zamfara, Taraba, Jigawa, Sokoto, Edo and Kano states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

Attacks could be indiscriminate and could occur at any time, including in places visited by foreign nationals, such as:

• places of worship
• markets
• malls
• hotels
• bars and restaurants
• sports venues and screenings
• displacement camps
• train networks and stations
• government buildings
• educational institution
• international organisations
• large public gatherings
• military locations and venues within them

Take particular care during election periods, or periods of religious significance or other public holidays.

Terrorist groups have also constructed unauthorised vehicle checkpoints on major supply and commercial routes, such as the A3 Maiduguri-Damaturu Road.

A heavy security presence is often a sign of a particularly high risk. Avoid affected areas in the immediate aftermath of an attack. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

Recent significant attacks include:

• in June 2023, ISWA carried out an IED attack in Nasarawa State
• in April 2023, ISWA claimed an IED attack on civilians in Jigawa State
• in February 2023, ISWA bombed a local government office in Kogi State
• in 2022, ISWA claimed responsibility for attacks on Nigerian security personnel in Ondo and Edo states
• in 2022, ISWA attacked the Kuje Prison in the Federal Capital Territory in which an unknown number of prisoners escaped
• in 2022, ISWA claimed responsibility for attacks on police in Niger State, within 30 kilometres of the Federal Capital Territory

Terrorist kidnap

Terrorist groups are highly likely to carry out kidnaps in Nigeria. Kidnappings are widespread and could occur anywhere. Foreign nationals and humanitarian workers have been kidnapped in the North, including in the states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Katsina, Kano and Kebbi. There may be an increased risk of terrorist kidnap, particularly to NGO workers, in Borno State.

British nationals are seen as legitimate targets, including tourists, humanitarian aid workers, journalists and business travellers. If you are kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to protect you or secure your safe release.

The long-standing policy of the British government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners builds the capability of terrorist groups and finances their activities. This can, in turn, increase the risk of further hostage-taking. The Terrorism Act (2000) makes payments to terrorists illegal.

When arranging meetings, use a secure location. Avoid regular patterns of travel and aim to only travel during daylight hours.

This section has safety advice for regions of Nigeria. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.

Insecurity is increasing across Nigeria. Kidnapping, violent crime, and intercommunal violence occur throughout all regions of Nigeria. You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.

North East Nigeria

FCDO advises against all travel to:

• Borno State
• Yobe State
• Adamawa State
• Gombe State

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• Bauchi state

There is a high and increasing threat from Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa, particularly around transport hubs, religious areas and large gatherings. Humanitarian personnel, vehicles, supplies and infrastructure can be targeted by terrorists and criminals.

There is a high threat of kidnap and violent attacks. Intercommunal tensions can lead to outbreaks of violence. During the dry season when roads are more easily accessible this risk is heightened.

Regular military operations are ongoing in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. There is a risk of retaliatory attacks.

If you’re in the north-east against FCDO advice, keep in touch with the authorities and the wider community on the security situation. Make sure your safety procedures and contingency plans are up to date. If you are working, make sure you have confidence in your employer’s ability to extract you in the event of any emergency.

If in Maiduguri, be aware that if security were to deteriorate any further, it could be extremely difficult for you to leave the city. Be mindful of the risks of travelling by road in this area and take precautions.

North West Nigeria

FCDO advises against all travel to:

• Katsina State
• Zamfara State

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• Kaduna State
• Kano State
• Kebbi State
• Jigawa State
• Sokoto State

Banditry and violent attacks are frequent and there is a high threat of kidnap. Incidents of intercommunal violence occur and trains are vulnerable to attack. If you’re travelling in the north-west against FCDO advice, be extremely cautious and monitor local media.

North Central Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, including Abuja

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• Niger State
• Kogi State
• Plateau State
• Taraba State
• Kwara State
• Benue State

This advice is due to criminal and militant activity and incidents of intercommunal violence.

The outer suburbs of Abuja, within the Federal Capital Territory are prone to varying levels of violence, and the safety of daily activity is unpredictable. Violent crime, often involving firearms, has increased and spread from the outer suburbs to more central, wealthier areas of the city.

See Terrorism

Be cautious when travelling in the Federal Capital Territory. Take advice from trusted contacts and be prepared to cancel or limit your plans. British Government staff in Nigeria have been advised to restrict travel to an area broadly within the Abuja metropolitan area.

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.

There has been an increase in intercommunal violence in Benue State, with a number of deaths reported. There may be increased security presence in parts of the state.

There has also been an increase in violence in Kwara State, with a number of deaths reported. There may be an increased security presence in parts of the state.

South East and South South Nigeria

FCDO advises against all travel to the riverine areas (the river and swamp locations accessible by boat, but not by road) of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• Abia State
• non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states
• Anambra State
• Imo State

Militant groups are active across the Niger Delta region and have carried out a number of attacks on oil and gas infrastructure. There’s a high risk of armed robbery, criminality and kidnap in the Niger Delta region.

There have been attacks and targeted killings. Some attacks have been on isolated roads and in remote locations, but they could occur in metropolitan areas. There is also a heightened risk of indiscriminate attacks on police and security infrastructure, which may affect bystanders. A number of states have imposed curfews. Be cautious about travelling in remote areas at night and follow local news and information outlets.

Secessionist groups are active in the south-east and attacks and violent clashes often occur with the military and other security forces. Although foreign nationals are not normally targeted, there is a risk you could be caught in an attack. Some previous protests have turned violent. In Imo State there is an emerging trend of successionist groups using improvised explosive devices though the overall number of incidents remains relatively low. Anyone travelling to the region should exercise increased caution and continue to follow FCDO travel advice. Monitor local government announcements and media reporting.

Partial regional extract; read the full official section.

Risk level

NIGERIA - AVOID NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL

Avoid non-essential travel to Nigeria, including in Abuja, due to the unpredictable security situation throughout the country and the significant risk of terrorism, crime, inter-communal clashes, armed attacks and kidnappings.

This advisory excludes the cities of Calabar and Lagos, where you should exercise a high degree of caution.

Regional risks

Regional risk level - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to the following regions due to the risk of terrorism, armed attacks, kidnapping, inter-communal and sectarian violence:

• the northwestern states of Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara
• the northcentral states of Plateau, Niger, Kwara and Kogi
• the northeastern states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Taraba and Yobe
• the Niger Delta states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo and Rivers (excluding Port Harcourt, in Rivers State, where you should avoid non-essential travel)
• 10 km of the border areas with Cameroon, Niger, and northern Benin (between Benin and Kebbi state).

Calabar and Lagos - Exercise a high degree of caution

Exercise a high degree of caution in the cities of Calabar and Lagos due to the incidence of crime.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations occur frequently, especially in major cities. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation. Telecommunications and Internet access may also be disrupted.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Expect enhanced security measures and increased security presence
• Expect curfews and restrictions on movement
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media to stay informed on the evolving situation

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Northwestern and Northeastern states

There is a threat of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in the following northwestern and northeastern states:

• Adamawa
• Bauchi
• Borno
• Gombe
• Jigawa
• Kaduna
• Kano
• Katsina
• Sokoto
• Zamfara
• Yobe

Criminal groups continue to be active in the northwest, including in Kaduna state. Violent attacks involving gunfire and explosives, as well as kidnappings, are frequent. They have targeted:

• motorists
• transportation hubs and networks
• local communities

尼日利亚现有红色（极高风险）地区7个，橙色（高风险）地区24个，其他地区为黄色（中风险）。具体如下:

一、红色地区：博尔诺州、约贝州、阿达玛瓦州、奥贡州（州内除首府阿贝奥库塔市和奥贡广东自贸区以外的其他地区）、卡杜纳州、赞法拉州和尼日尔州。外交部提醒中国公民近期暂勿前往尼日利亚上述地区，已在当地的人员和机构尽快撤离或转移至安全地区。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻当地使领馆取得联系。

二、橙色地区：科吉州、拉各斯州、高原州、埃基蒂州、阿南布拉州、埃努古州、纳萨拉瓦州、贝努埃州、埃邦伊州、塔拉巴州、卡诺州、包奇州、河流州、克罗斯河州、埃多州、翁多州、阿比亚州、阿夸伊博姆州、巴耶尔萨州、三角洲州、伊莫州、奥逊州、奥贡州（仅限阿贝奥库塔市和奥贡广东自贸区）、夸拉州。外交部提醒中国公民近期谨慎前往尼日利亚上述地区，已在当地的人员和机构密切关注局势发展，保持高度警惕，加强安全防范和应急准备，确保人身和财产安全。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻当地使领馆取得联系。

三、黄色地区：其他地区。外交部提醒在尼日利亚其他地区的人员也要加强防范，注意安全。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻当地使领馆取得联系。

外交部和驻外使领馆将继续密切关注海外安全形势变化，动态调整有关风险评估，并实时在中国领事服务网等平台发布、更新相应安全提醒，请持续关注。