The United Kingdom has raised serious concerns about security conditions across Nigeria, issuing a comprehensive travel advisory that identifies multiple states as high-risk areas for British citizens.
Updated Travel Advisory Details
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) released a fresh travel warning on Sunday, November 9, 2025, explicitly advising against travel to several Nigerian regions. The advisory highlights growing threats from terrorism, violent crimes, kidnappings, and intercommunal violence that have been spreading across the country.
According to the official statement published on GOV.UK, the FCDO emphasized that "insecurity is increasing across Nigeria" and that dangerous incidents occur throughout all regions. British nationals are urged to exercise extreme caution, review their safety procedures regularly, and ensure they have adequate contingency plans in place.
High-Risk States and Regions
The UK government has categorically advised against all travel to six northern states due to severe security threats. These include:
- Borno
- Yobe
- Adamawa
- Gombe
- Katsina
- Zamfara
These areas face "high and increasing threat from Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa", with particular risks around transport hubs, religious sites, and large gatherings. The warning specifically notes that humanitarian personnel, vehicles, and infrastructure could become targets for terrorists and criminals.
Additionally, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to ten more states and specific areas of the Federal Capital Territory:
- Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, and Taraba states
- Outer suburbs of Abuja within the Federal Capital Territory
The advisory reveals that violent crime has increased and spread from outer suburbs to more central, wealthier areas of Abuja. British Government staff in Nigeria have been instructed to restrict their movements primarily to the Abuja metropolitan area.
Regional Security Concerns
The North-East region presents particularly alarming conditions, with regular military operations ongoing in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states. The FCDO warns of retaliatory attack risks and specifically cautions UK citizens in Maiduguri that further security deterioration could make leaving the city extremely difficult.
In the South-East and South-South regions, the UK advises against all travel to riverine areas of:
- Delta
- Bayelsa
- Rivers
- Akwa Ibom
- Cross River states
These areas face active militant groups that have conducted numerous attacks on oil and gas infrastructure, alongside high risks of armed robbery, criminality, and kidnapping.
The advisory also expresses concern about secessionist groups active in the south-east, where attacks and violent clashes with military and security forces frequently occur. While foreign nationals are not typically targeted, the FCDO warns travelers they could be caught in crossfire during incidents.
Even in the South-West, including Lagos, the UK government describes violent crimes such as mugging, kidnapping, car-jacking, and armed robbery as common occurrences, particularly in larger urban centers.
The comprehensive travel warning underscores the deteriorating security situation across multiple regions of Nigeria and represents one of the most detailed advisories issued by the UK government regarding travel to the country.
