The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a fresh travel advisory warning British citizens about escalating insecurity in Nigeria, citing rising incidents of terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime and communal conflict.
The updated advisory, published on GOV.UK on Sunday, November 9, 2025, states that insecurity “is increasing across all regions of Nigeria” and urges British nationals already in the country to strengthen personal security plans, avoid unnecessary movement, and monitor local developments closely.
According to the advisory, the UK government has instructed its citizens to avoid all travel to six northern states including Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina and Zamfara — areas where extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP remain active and have repeatedly targeted public locations including places of worship, transport terminals and markets.
The FCDO also advised against all but essential travel to Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau and Taraba, warning that violence has increasingly spread from rural communities into major population centres.
The advisory notes that even within the Federal Capital Territory, security has deteriorated, prompting the UK government to restrict movements of its own staff to central Abuja locations only. It also warned that protests in Abuja occasionally turn violent, urging travellers to avoid large gatherings and political demonstrations.
In the North-East, the UK highlighted ongoing military offensives against insurgent groups in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, warning that these operations come with an increased risk of reprisal attacks. UK nationals in Maiduguri were cautioned that if security conditions worsen further, exiting the city might become extremely difficult.
The UK also warns against travel to riverine communities in the Niger Delta — spanning Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River — due to criminal gangs and militant groups known for attacks on oil installations, kidnapping, extortion and armed robbery.
The advisory similarly flagged threats in the South-East from secessionist groups engaged in clashes with security forces, noting that while foreigners are not typically direct targets, they may be caught in violent incidents.
Even in commercial hubs in the South-West, including Lagos, violent crime such as armed robbery, mugging, kidnappings and carjackings were described as “common” and a cause for heightened alert.
The updated advisory comes amid an ongoing global risk assessment review, and British citizens in Nigeria have been urged to maintain active contact with the British High Commission and ensure emergency evacuation arrangements are in place.
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Source:Africa Publicity
