Travel Summary

We advise against ALL travel to:

• Borno State.
• Yobe State.
• Bayelsa State.
• Delta State.
• Rivers State (including Port Harcourt).
• Riverine areas of Akwa Ibom State.
• The Bakassi Peninsula.
• Kano City.
• Kaduna City.
  

We advise against ALL BUT ESSENTIAL travel to: 
 

• Bauchi State.
• Jos City.
• Gombe State.
• Mubi Town in Adamawa State, and the area north of Mubi Town that borders Borno State.
• Non-riverine areas of Akwa Ibom State.
• Abia State.

Other advice:

• On 30 April an attack targeted at the Commissioner of Police in Jalingo, Taraba State, resulted in numerous fatalities. You should exercise vigilance and caution.
  
  
• On 29 April gun and bomb attacks took place at Bayero University in Kano City.  Reports indicate a number of fatalities.  You should continue to exercise vigilance and caution.  We currently advise against all travel to Kano City.

• On 26 April bomb attacks took place at the This Day Newspaper office in the Jabi area of Abuja and near a media house on Kano Road in Kaduna city.  A further explosion on 26 April has been reported in the Ungwan Muazu area of Kaduna city.  Reports indicate fatalities from all three incidents.  You are advised to exercise vigilance and caution.
  
  
• There is a high threat from terrorism in Nigeria. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including government and security institutions, international organisations as well as public areas such as markets, hotels, shopping centres, places of worship and other areas frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. You should avoid affected areas in the immediate aftermath of an attack. Attacks occur frequently on religious and public holidays. See Safety and Security - Terrorism.
  
• On Tuesday 24 April, there was a bomb attack in a television viewing centre in Jos where one of the UEFA Champions’ League semi-finals was being screened, resulting in one fatality and a number of injuries.  The UEFA Champions’ League Final will take place on Saturday 19 May and we advise British nationals to exercise extra caution and vigilance at public screenings of the game
  
• On Wednesday 18 April, the US published an Emergency Message for US citizens detailing information that Boko Haram may be planning attacks in Abuja.  We assess that this information is credible and attacks could occur at any time including against international hotels frequently visited by Westerners without prior warning.  We continue to advise British nationals to be vigilant and exercise caution. See Security and Terrorism - Boko Haram
  
   
• Following warnings issued for the Easter period, we continue to advise against all travel to Kaduna city and Kano city. This follows explosions in Kaduna city on 8 April 2012 and the discovery of unexploded devices in Kano city on 9 April, as well as high levels of violence in both cities. See Safety and Security - Terrorism and Safety and Security - Local Travel - Northern Nigeria.
  
  
• There is a threat of kidnapping throughout Nigeria. Westerners have been the target of kidnaps. On 12 May 2011, a British national was kidnapped alongside an Italian national in Kebbi State.  Both hostages were killed in Sokoto on 8 March 2012.  We advise British nationals to exercise vigilance and caution.
  
  
• A number of curfews are being enforced across Nigeria.  Curfews are used on a regular basis following incidents and unrest, and can be imposed with short notice.  British nationals are urged to comply with all curfews and to monitor local media to find out about any curfews that are in place.
  
  
• A State of Emergency is in effect in a number of States. The requirements of each State of Emergency vary, but may include the closure of international borders with the affected States.
  
  
• Localised outbreaks of civil unrest can occur at short notice.  You are advised to avoid large crowds, demonstrations and obvious political gatherings.  Trouble on the streets can be spontaneous, and can quickly lead to violence.  Details and advice are circulated via the British High Commission's Community Liaison Officers' network.  We advise British nationals staying in Nigeria for three months or more to register with the British High Commission.
  
  
• Violent crime is prevalent in the south of the country, including Lagos. See Safety and Security - Crime.
  
  
• There were reported outbreaks in February 2012 of lassa fever, a serious rat-borne viral disease, in twelve States.  See Health.
  
  
• Nigeria experiences heavy rainfall during the wet season (June - September) and flash flooding can occur.  Water-borne disease poses a greater risk during the rainy season.
  
  

• Around 117,000 British nationals visit Nigeria each year. 52 British nationals required consular assistance in Nigeria in the period 01 April 2010 - 31 March 2011. See General - Consular Assistance Statistics.  Violent crime is also prevalent in the south of the country, including Lagos.
  
  

• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General - Insurance.