The British government has strongly advised
its nationals against setting foot on the soils of 21 Nigerian states
for their own safety.
ChannelsTV reports that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
of the United Kingdom says the travel advisory has become necessary as a
result of growing insecurity in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation.
In a statement posted on its website and
updated on Monday, June 17, 2019, the FCO said frequent attacks by
terrorist sect Boko Haram in the restive northeastern region of Nigeria,
raids by armed bandits in the northwest and north-central states,
kidnappings across Nigeria, fatal diseases like Ebola and Lassa fever
and militancy in the south-south, have made Nigeria a dangerous
destination for the rest of the world.
British nationals have therefore been advised
against travelling to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, and the riverine
communities of Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states.
They were also advised against trips to within 20 kilometers of the border with Niger and Zamfara states.
The travel advisory
The statement from the FCO reads in parts: “The
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to:
Borno State, Yobe State, Adamawa State, Gombe State, riverine areas of
Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States, within 20km
of the border with Niger in Zamfara State.
The FCO advises against all but
essential travel to: Bauchi State, Zamfara State, Kano State, Kaduna
State, Jigawa State, Katsina State, Kogi State, within 20km of the
border with Niger in Sokoto and Kebbi States, non-riverine areas of
Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers State, Abia State.
Terrorists are very likely to try to carry
out attacks in Nigeria. Most attacks occur in the northeast,
particularly in Borno (including central Maiduguri and along access
routes connecting the city to other major towns and along the Niger
border, including in Damasak), Yobe, including the eastern LGAs
bordering Borno State both north and south of the Damaturu road), and
the Adamawa States. There have also been significant attacks in Gombe,
Kano, Kaduna, Jos and Bauchi States and in the Federal capital, Abuja.
The terrorist threat across eastern Yobe
and Borno State is high, with frequent recent attacks. Terrorist groups
carried out attacks in North East Nigeria during the February 2019
election period, and further attacks are likely. We continue to advise
against all travel to Borno and Yobe States.
On 23 February 2019, ISWA launched an
attack involving indirect fire that resulted in explosions in multiple
locations within Maiduguri.
You should avoid places where crowds
gather, including political meetings, religious gatherings and places of
worship, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, transport
hubs and camps for displaced people. Attacks could be indiscriminate and
could affect western interests as well as places visited by tourists.
Besides Abuja, other major towns and cities remain particularly at risk,
including Kano and Kaduna. See Terrorism
Theres a high threat of kidnap throughout
Nigeria. Kidnaps can be motivated by criminality or terrorism and could
be carried out for financial or political gain. See Terrorism and
Criminal Kidnaps
The security environment in the north east
has deteriorated since 2018 and there is a heightened risk of kidnap.
Kidnaps in the north east have included humanitarian and private sector
workers. There are also reports that Boko Haram and Islamic State West
Africa (ISWA) are continuing to actively plan to kidnap foreigners. As
well as in north-east Nigeria, this is believed to include some northern
and middle belt states including Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Kaduna, Niger,
and Adamawa. If youre working or travelling in areas where there is a
Boko Haram or ISWA presence, especially in the north-east of Nigeria,
you should be aware of the risk of terrorist kidnapping.
There is also a high threat of criminal kidnap in the Niger Delta region and Kogi state.
If you travel to areas to which the FCO
advise against travel, you are particularly at risk and will need a high
level of security. If youre working in northern Nigeria you should make
sure your employers provide an adequate level of security where you
live and where you work, make sure they regularly review security
arrangements and familiarise yourself with those plans.
There have been recent attacks in
Maiduguri, Baga, Monguno, Damasak and Rann in Borno State and in Gujba
and Geidam LGAs in Yobe State. Further attacks are likely. We advise
against all travel to Borno and Yobe States. See Local travel.
AFP
Survivors look at the aftermath of the bombing by the Nigerian air
force of a camp for displaced people in Rann, northeast Nigeria, on
January 17, 2017. (AFP)
A number of kidnappings, including of
foreigners, took place in Kano city in April 2018. We advise against all
but essential travel to Kano state. If youre in or around Kano city, we
recommend you take added precautions.
You should be aware of your surroundings
and avoid large crowds and public demonstrations as they can turn
violent unexpectedly and at short notice. Follow news reports and be
alert to developments. If you become aware of any nearby unrest or
disturbances, you should leave the area immediately. Violent crime is
common. See Crime
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control
confirmed an outbreak of Lassa fever on 22 January. For further
information and advice see the NaTHNaC website.
UK health authorities have classified
Nigeria as having a risk of Zika virus transmission. For information and
advice about the risks associated with Zika virus, visit the National
Travel Health Network and Centre website.
Around 117,000 British nationals visit Nigeria each year. Most visits are trouble-free.
Before considering travel to areas to
which the FCO advise against all or all but essential travel you should
take professional security advice. Be vigilant at all times, keep others
informed of your travel plans and vary your routines. If you’re working
in Nigeria you should follow your employers’ security advice, make sure
your accommodation is secure and review your security measures
regularly. Consular support is offered in Nigeria although limited in
areas where the FCO advise against all or all but essential travel.
Technically defeating Boko Haram
On March 1, 2018, Boko Haram attacked a
military base in Rann, Borno State. Nine members of the Nigerian
security forces and 3 United Nations consultants were killed during the
attack.
Six members of the Nigerian security forces
and at least 4 other humanitarian workers were injured, and a further 3
humanitarian workers were abducted.
Some terrorist attacks and kidnappings in Nigeria in recent times have also targeted foreign nationals.
Only last week, terrorists reportedly sacked a military base in Borno and sent soldiers fleeing for their lives.
The British government also reminded its
nationals that it won’t pay ransom to kidnappers to have them freed
should they be taken hostage.
“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. The Terrorism Act (2000) also makes payments to terrorists illegal," the statement read.
The Buhari presidency recently announced that
it is doing everything to deal the terrorists a devastating blow, even
though it has often claimed in the past that the terrorists have been “technically defeated”.
Boko Haram has killed about 30,000 people since it commenced an insurgency against the Nigerian state in 2009.
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