UK warns against travel to six Nigerian states over rising insecurity

The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued a fresh travel advisory on November 10, 2025, urging British nationals to avoid several parts of Nigeria because of escalating insecurity. In its latest Foreign Travel Advice published on gov.uk, the FCDO said kidnapping, violent crime and inter‑communal violence are occurring throughout the country.

The advisory singles out six states – Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina and Zamfara – as areas where “all travel should be avoided” due to a high and increasing threat from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa (ISWA), especially around transport hubs, religious sites and large gatherings. The FCDO warned that humanitarian personnel, vehicles, supplies and infrastructure could be targeted.

All but essential travel is also discouraged to Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau and Taraba, as well as the outer suburbs of Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory. The UK government noted that violent crime involving firearms has risen and is spreading from the city’s outskirts into wealthier central areas. British staff in Nigeria have been told to limit movements to the Abuja metropolitan area.

Ongoing military operations in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe mean the region remains a risk for retaliatory attacks. In Maiduguri, any further security deterioration could make it extremely difficult to leave the city.

Travel to riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River is discouraged because militant groups active in the Niger Delta have attacked oil and gas infrastructure, and there is a high risk of armed robbery, criminality and kidnapping. Secessionist groups in the south‑east have also carried out violent clashes with security forces.

Mugging, kidnapping, car‑jacking and armed robbery are common, especially in larger cities. While large‑scale terrorist attacks are rare, the Islamic State West Africa claimed two attacks in 2022, and travellers are advised to be cautious on the mainland and avoid night‑time movement.

The FCDO urged anyone currently in high‑risk areas to stay alert, follow local security instructions, keep safety procedures up to date and have contingency plans in place.

The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued a fresh travel advisory on November 10, 2025, urging British nationals to avoid several parts of Nigeria because of escalating insecurity. In its latest Foreign Travel Advice published on (link unavailable), the FCDO said kidnapping, violent crime and inter‑communal violence are occurring throughout the country.

The advisory singles out six states – Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina and Zamfara – as areas where “all travel should be avoided” due to a high and increasing threat from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa (ISWA), especially around transport hubs, religious sites and large gatherings. The FCDO warned that humanitarian personnel, vehicles, supplies and infrastructure could be targeted.

All but essential travel is also discouraged to Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau and Taraba, as well as the outer suburbs of Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory. The UK government noted that violent crime involving firearms has risen and is spreading from the city’s outskirts into wealthier central areas. British staff in Nigeria have been told to limit movements to the Abuja metropolitan area.

Ongoing military operations in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe mean the region remains a risk for retaliatory attacks. In Maiduguri, any further security deterioration could make it extremely difficult to leave the city.

Travel to riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River is discouraged because militant groups active in the Niger Delta have attacked oil and gas infrastructure, and there is a high risk of armed robbery, criminality and kidnapping. Secessionist groups in the south‑east have also carried out violent clashes with security forces.