The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to:

Borno State
Yobe State
Bauchi State
Gombe State
Riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States
Warri city
Kano city
Okene City
The FCO advise against all but essential travel to:

Kano State
Kaduna State
Jigwa State
Katsina State
Sokoto State
Kebbi State
Jos city
Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas in Plateau State
Okene region of Kogi State
Mubi Town in Adamawa State and the area north of Mubi Town that borders Borno State
Non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States
Abia State
Kaduna City
Zaria City
There is a high threat from terrorism in Nigeria. There is a threat of retaliatory attacks following the French intervention in Mali. See Terrorism

A bomb attack at a bus station in Kano on 18 March 2013 resulted in multiple casualties.

There is a high threat of kidnap throughout Nigeria. Recent terrorist kidnaps have occurred mostly in northern Nigeria, but could occur anywhere in Nigeria. See Kidnapping

In recent years, many attacks have taken place during religious and public holidays against public or crowded places, including places of worship. During the Easter period, you should be particularly vigilant in and around such locations..

Demonstrations and civil unrest can occur at short notice. Follow news reports and be alert to developments. If you become aware of any nearby protests you should leave the area immediately. A number of curfews are in force. See Local travel and Political situation

Before considering any travel, take professional security advice. Be vigilant at all times, keep others informed of your travel plans and vary your routines. You should follow your employer’s security advice, make sure your accommodation is secure and review your security measures regularly.

Violent crime is common in the south of the country, including Lagos. See Crime

Flash flooding can occur during the wet season (June to October). There is a greater risk from water-borne diseases during the rainy season. See Health

Around 117,000 British nationals visit Nigeria each year. 50 British nationals needed consular assistance in Nigeria in the period 1 April 2011 - 31 March 2012.

Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel.

Crime:

Safety and security
Criminal kidnaps

Since January 2007, at least 25 British and dual British nationals and more than 200 other foreign nationals have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta area. One British national has been killed. There is a high threat of kidnapping and other armed attacks targeting oil and gas facilities and workers. This also applies to ships and oil rigs at sea off the coast of the Niger Delta. There have also been reports of foreign business people being kidnapped for ransom in Lagos. A British national was recently kidnapped in Lagos and fortunately subsequently released.

The long-standing policy of the British government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage-taking.

Maritime security

There have been armed robberies against ships at anchor in Nigerian waters and at many of the rivers and harbours in the Niger Delta area. Mariners should seek professional security advice and take appropriate precautions.

Crime

There are high levels of violent street crime (muggings, kidnappings, car-jackings and armed robbery) in the south of the country, even in comparatively safe areas of Lagos. Most attacks happen from 10pm onwards.

You should therefore limit road travel at night in Lagos as far as possible, especially away from the city centre. Be vigilant at all times. Follow all available security advice including that offered by employers or hosts. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and don’t wear valuable watches, jewellery or items of sentimental value. If you suspect danger, move away to a safer area.

There have been a number of robberies and kidnappings in Abia, Edo and Anambra States, particularly along the Enugu-Awka-Onitsha expressway in Anambra State. Take care when driving outside cities. Consider travelling in convoy, and avoid making any journeys that would involve travel after dark.

If you’re unlucky enough to be caught up in an armed robbery, you should immediately comply with the attackers’ demands. Those who have suffered injury or worse during such attacks have been perceived as not complying fully or quickly enough. The vast majority of those who endure such attacks, and follow this advice, do so without lasting physical harm.

Scams

British nationals are increasingly being targeted by scam artists operating in West Africa. The scams come in many forms (romance and friendship, business ventures, work and employment opportunities) and can pose great financial risk to victims. You should be very cautious about any requests for funds, a job offer, a business venture or a face to face meeting from someone you have been in correspondence with over the internet who lives in West Africa.

If you or your relatives or friends are asked to transfer money to Nigeria you should make absolutely sure that it is not part of a scam and that you have properly checked with the person receiving the money that they are requesting it. If the caller claims to be in distress, you should ask whether they have reported the incident (by phone or e-mail) to the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos.

People have received scam e-mails claiming to be from a British High Commission office in Nigeria. If you receive an email that appears to be from any British High Commission office in Nigeria asking for bank details or money, you should immediately contact the Consular Section of the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos.

Local travel

You should follow news reports and be alert to developments that might trigger civil unrest. Violence can erupt quickly and without warning. If you are working in Nigeria, you should follow your employer’s local security guidelines. You are strongly advised to take professional security advice, be vigilant at all times and review your security measures regularly. Keep others informed of your travel plans when travelling around and vary your routines. Make sure your accommodation is secure and consider pre-deployment training on travelling under close protection

Northern Nigeria

The FCO advise against all travel to Borno State, Yobe State, Gombe State and Bauchi State where there are frequent violent attacks. Recent attacks have increasingly focussed on public places, including bars and restaurants, resulting in a large number of injuries and deaths. The FCO advise against all travel to Kano City and Okene City which see frequent high levels of violence.

The FCO advise against all but essential travel to, Kano State, Kaduna State, Jigwa State, Katsina State, Sokoto State, Kebbi State and the Okene region of Kogi State where there has been an increase in violent attacks; Mubi Town in Adamawa State and the area north of Mubi Town that borders Borno State where there has been an increase in violent attacks; Jos City where violent attacks and ongoing inter-communal tensions can lead to outbreaks of violence; and Kaduna City and Zaria City in Kaduna State where there has been frequent violence.

The FCO advise against all but essential travel to Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas. If you choose to remain there you should carefully consider your security arrangements and exit routes.

If you plan to work in northern Nigeria, even in areas which are not subject to specific advice against travel, you will need a high level of security. Ask your employer about their security arrangements and request that they review them in light of recent kidnaps of westerners from protected compounds. Ensure that they are able to provide you with an adequate level of security for a high threat from terrorism.

The Niger Delta States

The FCO advise against all travel to the riverine areas (ie the river and swamp locations on or close to the coast accessible by boat, but not by road) of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. The FCO advise against all travel to Warri city.

The FCO advise against all but essential travel to Abia State and non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.

You should avoid public places in Port Harcourt frequented by expatriates, including bars and restaurants. There have been reports of attempts to lure an expatriate to a meeting at a remote location near Port Harcourt. It is believed that this was an attempted kidnap. When arranging meetings in Nigeria make sure the contact is known to you, and the meeting is held at a secure location.

The High Commission Liaison Office and British Council in Port Harcourt are subject to closure at short notice

Curfews

A number of curfews and restrictions on the movement of vehicles are being enforced in various parts of Nigeria. Such restrictions are used on a regular basis in Nigeria, and can be imposed, amended and lifted at short notice. You should check with the local authorities or someone with local knowledge for up to date information on curfews and restrictions before you travel. Failure to comply with all curfews and movement restrictions could put you at significant risk.

Road travel

Traffic can be chaotic and slow moving. Take a mobile telephone with you when travelling by car so that you can stay in touch with family, friends and employers. Keep a supply of bottled water in your vehicle at all times.

Avoid any travel after dark outside city centres. Take care after dark within cities. Avoid quieter and poorly lit roads. Be particularly vigilant when sitting in traffic jams or at traffic lights. Keep car windows up and doors locked, and make sure valuables are out of sight. If you feel your vehicle is being followed, drive to the nearest place of safety (eg the nearest police station).

In Lagos, eating, smoking or using a mobile phone while driving and riding a motorcycle without a helmet are prohibited. Motorists face fines or imprisonment for violations.

There are authorised as well as unauthorised vehicle checkpoints throughout Nigeria. Some are for security checks, others to extort small payments of money. You should slow down at any type of checkpoint and use common sense at all times.

There are frequent reports of robberies and car-jackings, some involving armed gunmen, on Nigeria’s urban and rural road network. Experience has shown that should you be unlucky enough to be caught up in an armed robbery, you should immediately comply with the attackers’ demands. Those who have suffered injury or worse during such attacks have been perceived as not complying fully or quickly enough. The vast majority of those who endure such attacks, and follow this advice, do so without lasting physical harm.

Public transport is dangerous. Taxis and long distance buses are often poorly maintained, uninsured and driven by unqualified drivers. Most major hotels offer cars for hire with drivers. You should use these where possible.

If you are expecting a greeter or driver to collect you at any of Nigeria’s international airports, make sure they have properly identified themselves before you set off. Bogus greeters are a problem.

Air travel

In June 2012, a Dana Air flight from Abuja to Lagos crashed just outside Lagos Airport. The investigation report is yet to be published, but Nigeria’s aviation authorities have lifted the suspension of flights operated by Dana Air put in place following the crash.

Following a series of crashes, there are concerns about the safety and reliability of some airline companies operating domestic flights within Nigeria. You can find a list of recent incidents and accidents on the website of the Aviation Safety network.

Airlines flying between Nigeria and London can occasionally become severely overbooked. As a result, airlines advise travellers to reconfirm their return booking at least 48 hours before they are due to depart, and to check in early.

Political situation

Violent demonstrations can occur with little notice throughout the country. International news events can also sometimes trigger anti-Western demonstrations. There is the potential for increased tension on Fridays. Keep yourself informed of developments and if you encounter a threatening or intimidating situation, don’t try to make your way through it. Turn round and go home.