UK Issues Travel Warning: Avoid These 6 Nigerian States
The United Kingdom has advised its citizens to avoid travel to several parts of Nigeria, especially six states.
The warning was contained in a Foreign Travel Advisory issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
In the advisory issued on Sunday, the UK raised concerns on terrorism, violent crime, kidnappings, and inter-communal clashes.
The FCDO advised against all travels to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, and Zamfara States.
It said there is a “high and increasing threat from Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa, particularly around transport hubs, religious areas and large gatherings”.
It warned that “humanitarian personnel, vehicles, supplies, and infrastructure can be targeted by terrorists and criminals”.
The advisory also warned against all but essential travel to Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, and Taraba States and outer suburbs of Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory.
The advisory said: “Violent crime, often involving firearms, has increased and spread from the outer suburbs to more central, wealthier areas of the city.
“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.”
The advisory envisaged a particularly alarming picture of the North East region, where “regular military operations are ongoing in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states” and there remains “a risk of retaliatory attacks.”
UK citizens in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, were also warned: “If security were to deteriorate any further, it could be extremely difficult for you to leave the city.”
In the South East and South South regions, the FCDO warned against all travel to “the riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
“Militant groups are active across the Niger Delta region and have carried out many attacks on oil and gas infrastructure.
“There’s a high risk of armed robbery, criminality and kidnap.”
Expressing worry over secessionist groups active in the South East, the advisory said: “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.”
For the South West, the advisory warned of violent crimes such as “mugging, kidnapping, car-jacking and armed robbery”, which it said are “common, particularly in the larger cities”.