UK Lists 20 Nigerian States as Unsafe Due to 'Increasing Insecurity' in New Travel Warning

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has just released an updated travel advisory for Nigeria, reflecting serious concerns over increasing insecurity across the nation. The UK government is urging British nationals to take immediate action, as threats from terrorism, widespread kidnapping, violent crime, and community unrest have escalated significantly.

If you are planning a trip to Nigeria, or currently live there, you must know that the FCDO strongly advises you to avoid all travel to several key areas. This strict warning applies to the North-East States of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and Gombe, and the North-West States of Katsina and Zamfara. Crucially, this same "do not go" warning extends to the swampy, riverine parts of the Niger Delta region, including sections of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States, due to the high threat of terrorism and targeted kidnapping in these areas.



Furthermore, the FCDO advises British citizens to only make the most essential trips to a much wider list of states, acknowledging the risks of general instability and violent crime. This "essential travel only" guidance covers the North-Central States of Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, and Taraba. Even within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), travel should be limited in the outer suburbs of Abuja, as violent crime is now spreading outwards. Finally, in the South-East and South-South, only essential travel is advised for Abia, Anambra, and Imo States, as well as the non-riverine parts of Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers, due to risks from separatist groups and general criminal activity. The overarching message is clear: if your travel is not critical, the FCDO recommends you stay away from these regions for your safety.