The United Kingdom (UK) has warned its citizens against travelling to twelve states in Nigeria due to the high threat of kidnapping for ideological, financial, or political gain.
The states are Borno, Yobe, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Zamfara, and Adamawa states.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) published in its travel advisory, warning its citizens to stay away from these twelve states.
The FCDO also advised its citizens against all but essential travel to Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa , Niger, Sokoto, Kogi within 20km of the border with Niger in Kebbi and Abia States respectively.
Part of the published travel advisory read: “There are also reports that Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) have an active plan to kidnap foreigners. As well as in North-East Nigeria, extremist groups operate in some northern and middle belt states including Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Kogi, Kaduna, Niger and Adamawa states.”
“If you are working or travelling in these States then you should be aware of the risk of terrorist kidnapping.”
“Foreign nationals, including humanitarian workers, are likely targets for kidnapping. Humanitarian hubs and humanitarian workers have been targeted during attacks in the North East, including Monguno, Borno State on 13 June 2020.”
“The security environment in the North East has deteriorated since 2018 and there is a heightened risk of kidnapping of humanitarian and private sector workers.”
The travel advisory added that the UK government, also warned against attacks and killings in South-East regions.
The government advised those travelling to those regions to be careful and follow local news and information outlets for further information, including on local curfews.
It read: “There have also been a number of attacks and targeted killings in the South-east and South-South regions of Nigeria, including in the states of Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Abia, Anambra, Delta, Edo and Ebonyi. Some of these attacks have been on isolated roads and in remote locations, but there is a chance that they could occur in metropolitan areas.”
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