What UK Government Advice Its Citizens Who Plan To Travel To Nigeria

                              

I copied this travel advice from the website of UK's Foriegn and Common Wealth Office, it is the normal advise about Nigeria and Nigerians from UK government to its citizens planning to travel to Nigeria.  Please try and finish reading this, it will tell you alot about what they think of us.

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Travel Summary and the Safety and Security section (attacks in Sokoto and Kogi states; kidnap in Delta state). The overall level of the advice has not changed. We advise against all travel to some areas of Nigeria and against all but
 essential travel to other areas.

Travel Summary

  We advise against ALL travel to:

• Borno State.
• Yobe State.
• Riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
• Warri city.
• Kano city.
• Kaduna city. 

We advise against ALL BUT ESSENTIAL travel to:

• Bauchi State.
• Jos city.
• Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas in Plateau State. 
• Gombe 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.

Other advice:

• There is a high threat from terrorism in Nigeria. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including government, security and educational institutions, international organisations as well as public venues and areas such as restaurants, bars, markets, hotels, shopping centres, places of worship and other areas frequented by expatriates, foreign tourists and business travellers. You should avoid affected areas in the immediate aftermath of an attack. Attacks occur frequently on religious and public holidays. There have been regular attacks on churches in northern Nigeria at times of worship. We cannot therefore rule out further attacks taking place. 
  
• On 7 August there were a number of fatalities in an attack near a mosque in the town of Okene, Kogi State.  Attacks on 6 August on a church near Okene, also caused a number of fatalities. As a result of these incidents the Kogi State Governor has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in Kogi Central Senatorial District which includes the Local Government Areas of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi, Okene and Ogori-Magongo.  You should exercise vigilance and caution, and monitor local media for further information on the curfew.
  
• On 6 August a police station in Shagari, Sokoto State was destroyed with no reports of casualties.
• On 30 July, two bomb attacks took place in the northern city of Sokoto targeting the Nigerian Police Force, causing a number of fatalities. You should exercise vigilance and caution and monitor local media for further information.
  
• On the weekend of 6-8 July there were attacks and outbreaks of violence in Plateau State, with the most serious taking place in Riyom and Bakin Ladi Local Government Areas. The Governor has imposed a curfew across Jos North, Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas. The Nigerian military are conducting operations in Riyom and Bakin Ladi Local Government Areas., We advise against all but essential travel to Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas. You should exercise vigilance and caution and monitor local media for further information.
  
• 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. 
  
• A number of curfews are being enforced across Nigeria. We are currently aware of curfews in Plateau, Kaduna and Yobe States and Kano City and Kogi Central Senatorial District. Curfews are used on a regular basis in Nigeria following incidents and unrest, and can be imposed and lifted at short notice. British nationals are urged to comply with all curfews. Monitor local media to find out about curfews that are being enforced. The British High Commission's ability to provide consular services is limited as a result of curfews. See Safety and Security - 
  
• There is a threat of kidnapping throughout Nigeria. Foreign nationals 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
• 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. 50 British nationals required consular assistance in Nigeria in the period 01 April 2011 - 31 March 2012. See General - Consular Assistance Statistics.
  
• Safety and security

Safety and Security - Terrorism There is a high threat from terrorism in Nigeria. You are advised to exercise caution and observe vigilance at all times, particularly in areas where there are political or other large public gatherings. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including government, security and educational institutions, international organisations as well as public venues and areas such as restaurants, bars, markets, hotels, shopping centres, places of worship and other areas frequented by expatriates, foreign tourists and business travellers. You should avoid affected areas in the immediate aftermath of an attack. Attacks occur frequently on religious and public holidays. There have been regular attacks on churches in northern Nigeria at times of worship. We cannot therefore rule out further attacks taking place.

Boko Haram

The main terrorist threat in northern Nigeria comes from Islamist extremists who aspire to establish Islamic law in Nigeria.

The majority of attacks occur in Borno State and Yobe State where we advise against all travel, but the last year has seen a significant increase in attacks occurring across other Nigerian states, mainly in the north.

Attacks are primarily launched against Nigerian targets including government and security institutions, police stations and places of worship. Public places have also been targeted, including places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers, such as bars and restaurants.

The attack against the United Nations building in Abuja in August 2011, which killed 23 people, shows that international and Western interests could be targeted.

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 against international hotels frequently visited by Westerners, without prior warning.

MEND

MEND (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta) is a militant group seeking to assume control of Nigeria's energy resources in the Niger Delta region. A faction of the group was responsible for the 1 October 2010 attack in Abuja, demonstrating an ability and willingness of this faction to operate away from their usual base in the south. On 6 February 2012, MEND threatened to carry out renewed attacks on major oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta.

Recent Attacks include:

• On 7 August there were a number of fatalities in an attack near a mosque in the town of Okene, Kogi State. Attacks on 6 August on a church near Okene, also caused a number of fatalities.
• On 6 August a police station in Shagari, Sokoto State was destroyed with no reports of casualties.
• On 30 July, two bomb attacks took place in the northern city of Sokoto targeting the Nigerian Police Force, causing a number of fatalities.
• On 3 July 2012, there was a small explosion in the vicinity of a shopping plaza in the Wuse II district of Abuja, and on 23 June there was a small explosion in the vicinity of a nightclub in the same district in the early hours of the morning.
• On 17 June 2012 there was a series of explosions reported at churches in Wusasa and Sabon Gari areas in Zaria, Kaduna state and the Trikania area of Kaduna city, with a number of casualties.
• On 3 June 2012 there was a car bomb attack on a church causing numerous casualties in Bauchi City.
• On 30 April 2012 an attack targeted at the Commissioner of Police in Jalingo, Taraba State, resulted in numerous fatalities.
• On 29 April 2012 gun and bomb attacks took place at Bayero University in Kano City, resulting in a number of fatalities.
• On 26 April 2012 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 number of fatalities were reported.
• On 24 February 2012 there was a gun and bomb attack on a prison and police station in Gombe City, causing a number of fatalities.
• On 20 January 2012, a series of co-ordinated terrorist attacks took place in Kano, targeting police and other government buildings. Local authorities have confirmed the official death toll at 185 people. In early 2012, a series of attacks across Adamawa State, including in Yola and Mubi, left over 40 people dead.
• On 25 December 2011 a series of bomb attacks took place on two churches in Madalla (Niger State) and Jos (Plateau State) resulting in a reported 32 deaths and many others injured. Three separate attacks also took place in northern Yobe State which left four people dead.
• On 4 and 5 November 2011 a series of gun and bomb attacks occurred in the north-eastern city of Damataru in Yobe State. Police stations and several churches were targeted leaving at least 60 people dead and many more injured.
• On 26 August 2011 there was an explosion at the UN building in the diplomatic sector in Abuja caused by a car bomb. 23 people were killed.

Kidnapping

There is a threat of kidnapping throughout Nigeria. Kidnappings can be for financial or political gain, and can be motivated by criminality or terrorism. Recent incidents have occurred in northern Nigeria and in the Delta region. Recent kidnappings of foreign nationals include:

• On 29 July two dual British/Nigerian nationals were kidnapped together in the Delta State.  One was quickly released.  The other was rescued on 31 July by Nigerian authorities.
• In June 2012 a dual British/Nigerian national was kidnapped in the Niger Delta area and quickly released.
• On 31 May 2012 an Italian national was kidnapped in Kwara State and was subsequently released on 1 June 2012.
• On 7 May a Lebanese national was kidnapped in Kaduna State. His Lebanese colleague was killed during the abduction.
• On 26 January 2012 a German national was kidnapped in Kano and reportedly killed in the city on 31 May 2012.  
• On 12 May 2011 a British national and an Italian national were kidnapped together in Kebbi State. Both hostages were killed in Sokoto on 8 March 2012.
• On 22 June 2010 a British national was kidnapped in Abuja and was subsequently released on 25 June 2010.
• There are occasional kidnappings of Westerners in the Delta region.

Since January 2007, we are aware of at least 25 British and dual British nationals and more than 200 other foreign nationals who have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta area, with one British national being killed. A dual British/Nigerian national was kidnapped in the Delta region in June 2012 and was quickly released. Two British nationals kidnapped in September 2008 were held for a number of months. One was released in April 2009 and one in June 2009. 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. Please see the local travel section for advice to help you ensure your own security while travelling in Nigeria.
You should be aware that 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. We advise mariners to take appropriate precautions.

Safety and Security - Crime

Violent street crimes e.g. muggings, kidnappings, car-jackings and especially armed robberies continue at high levels in the south of the country. The prevailing situation even in comparatively safe areas of Lagos can change quickly, with periodic reports of street and car-related crimes. Most attacks happen after dark from 22:00 onwards.  You should therefore limit road travel at night in Lagos as far as possible, especially away from the city centre - keep alert at all times. You should act upon any security advice given by their employers or, if visiting, their hosts. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and wearing valuable watches, jewellery or items of sentimental value. Remain alert to your surroundings and the actions of local people around you. If you suspect danger, move away to a safer area. Do not try to resist.

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

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.

Scams

Foreign nationals are frequently defrauded by scam artists. The scams come in many forms, and can pose great financial loss to victims. 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.

Scam artists are also targeting individuals in the UK. There are a myriad of schemes in operation by West African criminal networks designed to facilitate victims parting with money, known as advance fee or 419 fraud. Nigerian scam artists are also known to be targeting internet dating/personal sites with the intention of soliciting money from victims. For further information on advance fee fraud Foreigners, including Britons, are also targeted by scam artists they have met on internet chat rooms and on-line dating agencies. The scammer assumes the identity of an ex-patriot westerner and when trust has been established, sometimes over months or years, the victim of the scam is informed that their on-line friend in Nigeria is in trouble and in immediate need of funds. The reasons that the scam artists give for needing cash vary, but include being robbed or mugged, problems with airline tickets, being arrested at an airport for illegal immigration, being held against their will, being involved in a road accident (frequently on the airport road), hospitalisation, illness and advance payment for medical treatment. Many victims are persuaded to part with large amounts of money before they start to suspect anything. If you are asked to transfer funds to Nigeria to help with a crisis you should ask the caller whether they have reported the incident (by phone or e-mail) to the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos. We are also aware of a scam involving a fictitious "Basic Travel Allowance" fee requirement, which has become common. This is where it is alleged that the person trying to travel needs a certain amount of money before they will be allowed to travel. People have also received scam e-mails using commercial e-mail accounts (e.g. Yahoo, Hotmail, MSN etc.) allegedly from a British High Commission office in Nigeria requesting personal bank details, or for money to be transferred to High Commission staff. If you receive a report of a British national in Nigeria in distress or a request from any British High Commission office in Nigeria for bank details or money, you should immediately contact Consular Section, Lagos to investigate.
Safety and Security - Local Travel

If you are travelling in Nigeria you should take extra precautions and avoid crowds. You should avoid demonstrations and rallies, follow news reports, and be alert to developments that might trigger public disturbances. Violence could erupt quickly and without warning The general strike that took place from 9 to 16 January resulted in clashes between the police and demonstrators, with fatalities reported.

If you are a British national in Nigeria, you are advised to follow employer’s local security guidelines or take professional security advice. Whilst in country you should continue to review your security measures on a regular basis. You should always ensure car doors are locked and windows closed, and if possible maintain radio, or telephone, communications to report your movements. You should exercise the utmost care and vary your routines. You should not travel outside city centres after dark. Should you need to travel after dark, you should exercise extreme caution and take security and safety measures that are proportionate and appropriate to the journey.

If you decide to travel to areas of Nigeria to which we advise against all but essential travel, you should take suitable security precautions before travelling. You are strongly advised to seek professional security advice, make arrangements for secure accommodation and transport and consider pre-deployment training on travelling under close protection. In addition, you are advised:

• To be vigilant at all times and ensure that you frequently review your security arrangements; 
• To limit your movements to only essential journeys;
• Not to set regular patterns of movement whilst travelling;
• To consider permanent armed protection and use armoured vehicles.

You should be aware that even these precautions cannot guarantee your safety.

Northern Nigeria

We advise against ALL travel to:Borno State and Yobe 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.  We also advise against all travel to Kano City and Kaduna City, which see frequent high levels of violence.

We advise against all but essential travel to:Gombe State and Bauchi 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 there are violent attacks and ongoing inter-communal tensions can lead to outbreaks of violence.

On the weekend of 6-8 July there were attacks and outbreaks of violence in Plateau State, with the most serious taking place in Riyom and Bakin Ladi Local Government Areas. The Governor has imposed a curfew across Jos North, Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas. The Nigerian military are conducting operations in Riyom and Bakin Ladi Local Government Areas. These operations may entail road blocks so movement by road would be hazardous. We advise against all but essential travel to Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas. If you choose to remain you should carefully consider security arrangement and exit routes. You should exercise vigilance and caution and monitor local media for further information.

The Niger Delta States

We advise against all travel to:
Riverine areas of the Niger Delta States of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River (i.e. the river and swamp locations on or close to the coast accessible by boat, but not by road) and Warri city. We advise British nationals in these areas to leave.

We advise against all but essential travel to:

Abia State and non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.

You should avoid going to public places in Port Harcourt frequented by expatriates, including bars and restaurants. If you encounter a threatening or intimidating situation do not try to make your way through it; turn around and go home. We have received reports of an attempt to try 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 you should ensure that the contact is known to you, and that 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. Closure and reopening of the offices will be reflected in this travel advice.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel

Traffic in many of Nigeria's major cities can be chaotic and slow moving.  Serious traffic jams in Lagos are not uncommon.  Short journeys that normally take minutes can sometimes take hours.  We advise you to take a mobile telephone with you when travelling by car so that you can stay in touch with family, friends and employers.  We also advise you to have a supply of bottled water in your vehicle at all times.
Planned works on the Third Mainland Bridge between Lagos Mainland and Victoria, Ikoyi and Lagos Islands are now in progress. From midnight to noon, traffic is limited to one-way flows in the direction of Lagos Island, and from noon to midnight in the direction of the mainland. We advise that you allow extra time for road journeys to and from Lagos airport, and monitor local media for updates. 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. If you are involved in a car-jacking, experience has shown that victims who comply immediately and fully with the attackers’ demands are left unharmed.

You should:

• be vigilant when travelling on all major roads within Nigeria.
• avoid any travel after dark outside city centres.
• take care after dark within cities, avoiding secondary roads and areas where other traffic is light.
• be particularly vigilant when sitting in traffic jams or at traffic lights at night, and where street lighting is poor.
• keep your car windows and doors locked and valuables out of sight.
• if you feel your vehicle is being followed, you should drive to the nearest place of safety - e.g. to the nearest police station.

Public transport is dangerous. Taxis and long distance buses are poorly maintained and are often uninsured and driven by fraudulent drivers. Most major hotels offer cars for hire with drivers. We would recommend that you use these where possible.
If you are expecting a greeter or driver to collect you at any of Nigeria’s international airports you should ensure that he/she can properly identify themselves, as bogus greeters are a problem.

Road travel in Abuja and Lagos is banned between 07:00 and 10:00 on the last Saturday of every month for municipal road clean up; police vigilantly enforce the ban.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Air Travel
On 3 June a Dana Air flight from Abuja to Lagos crashed just outside Lagos Airport. Reports indicated there were at least 147 passengers on board and that there were no survivors. Flights operated by Dana Air have been suspended until further notice. Please see the Dana Air website (http://www.flydanaair.com/) for further information and contact details.  Air Nigeria are not currently operating domestic services, but their international service from Lagos to London is currently operating. Please see the Air Nigeria website for further information and contact details.

Following a series of crashes, there are also concerns about the safety and reliability of some airline companies operating domestic flights within Nigeria.
The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the EU. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel - .

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.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Sea Travel

There have been attacks of piracy/armed robbery against ships at anchor in Nigerian waters and at many of the rivers and harbours in the Niger Delta area.

We advise mariners to take appropriate precautions.


Safety and Security - Political Situation
Nigeria Country Profile
Demonstrations and outbreaks of localised civil unrest and violence can occur with little notice throughout the country. The security situation may deteriorate rapidly in the vicinity of political or other gatherings. If you encounter a threatening or intimidating situation do not try to make your way through it. Turn round and go home.
Before planning any official or recreational travel, particularly by road, you should check whether any political rallies or demonstrations are planned for a particular area, or on your route. See the Terrorism/Security section of this travel advice for other important security measures.