UK Issues Travel Alert, Warns Citizens Against Visiting 20 Nigerian States Amid Rising Insecurity

By Diafa Doubra,

The United Kingdom has issued a fresh travel warning for its citizens, urging extreme caution while traveling in Nigeria due to escalating violence, kidnappings, and inter‑communal conflicts across the country. The advisory specifically lists 20 states considered unsafe for travel.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) highlighted that criminal gangs, insurgents, and kidnappers have increasingly targeted both locals and foreigners, making several areas of the North-West, North-East, and parts of the South highly risky. Citizens were advised to reconsider all non-essential travel to these regions and to remain vigilant even in supposedly safer areas.

The advisory comes amid a growing wave of insecurity in Nigeria, with recent reports of mass kidnappings, armed robberies, and attacks on communities. The UK government also warned that access to emergency services in some regions could be limited, and that the risks to travelers are high.

Authorities called on Nigerians and foreigners alike to take safety precautions, maintain regular contact with family and friends, and closely monitor local news for updates. Security experts say the advisory reflects the worsening security situation in the country and underscores the urgent need for government action to protect citizens and visitors alike.