The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a new travel advisory warning its citizens to avoid 21 Nigerian states because of rising insecurity, kidnappings, and violent crime.
The advisory, updated on October 21, said insecurity was worsening across the country and remained current as of yesterday.
The FCDO urged British citizens to avoid Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and Gombe States completely due to ongoing military operations and the threat of retaliatory attacks.
It said only essential travel should be made to Bauchi State, citing a growing risk from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
In the North-West, the UK warned against all travel to Katsina and Zamfara because of frequent bandit attacks and kidnapping.
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It also advised that travel to Kaduna, Kebbi, Jigawa, and Sokoto should be limited to essential needs, citing frequent intercommunal violence and armed robbery.
The FCDO discouraged non-essential travel to Niger, Kogi, Plateau, and Taraba States.
Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, also drew concern. The UK noted that violent crime involving firearms has spread from the suburbs into central areas. It warned that protests in the city can turn violent without warning.
The UK advised against travel to Abia, Anambra, and Imo States because of secessionist unrest. It also warned against visiting non-riverine parts of Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers States due to security risks.
In Lagos, the advisory highlighted rising street crime, especially on the mainland. It urged travelers to remain cautious and avoid carrying large sums of cash.
The FCDO warned against withdrawing money from ATMs at night because of increased robbery cases. It also flagged online scams related to romance and employment.
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It cautioned visitors seeking fertility treatment in Nigeria to be careful of fake births or “miracle baby” scams, and reminded them that illegal adoptions could lead to prosecution in the UK.
The advisory also noted several deaths from methanol-contaminated alcoholic drinks, urging travelers to avoid unlicensed products.
Finally, it warned against swimming along Nigeria’s coastlines due to dangerous rip tides and undertows.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
