The United Kingdom (UK) Government has issued an updated travel advisory to UK citizens in Nigeria today, 17 January 2023. The travel advisory notes that a heightened risk of terrorist attacks is prevalent in various regions of the country. Attacks are likely to be indiscriminate and affect western interests, as well as places visited by tourists and foreign nationals resident in Nigeria. The majority of attacks are conducted by Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) and occur in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States in the North East. Significant attacks have also been recorded in other states, including Gombe, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Bauchi and Taraba States. The risk of terrorism across Nigeria includes the capital city Abuja and the surrounding Federal Capital Territory area. Previously, armed groups have targeted public places with large gatherings, including places of worship, markets, shopping centres, hotels, restaurants, football viewing centres, displacement camps, transport terminals, and Government buildings, among others. Methods of attack have previously included coordinated armed assaults, rocket attacks, assassinations, kidnapping, use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), bombings and arson. Terrorist groups have also been known to construct illegal vehicle checkpoints on major supply and commercial routes, such as the A3 Maiduguri-Damaturu Road. British nationals are also considered targets of kidnappings, including individuals engaged in tourism, humanitarian aid work, journalism, government or business sectors. Citizens are advised to avoid places with political or other significant public gatherings and remain vigilant at all times. A heightened security presence often indicates areas of particularly high risk. Travellers are also advised to avoid affected areas in the immediate aftermath of an attack and avoid regular patterns of travel or movement.
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