The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it has extended its warning on travel to Nigeria after another kidnapping earlier this week.
It now advises advised against all travel to the Niger Delta and to riverine areas of Cross River State because of the very high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks in these areas.
The Foreign Office previously warned against travel to the Niger Delta.
A British and a Bulgarian citizen were kidnapped by armed men in speedboats who attacked a barge belonging to Nigerian oil company Manipolu, a day after three other foreigners were snatched in the area, the latest in a string of abductions of dozens of foreigners in recent months.
The Foreign Office said 33 British nationals and more 180 foreign nationals have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta area and one Briton has been killed since Jan 2006.
Statement Summary…
This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary and Terrorism/Security section). We now advise against all travel to riverine areas of Cross River State.
We advise against all travel to the Niger Delta (Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States, including Port Harcourt) and to riverine areas of Cross River State. This is because of the very high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks in these areas. In 17 separate incidents since January 2006, 33 British nationals and over 180 foreign nationals have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta area and one Briton has been killed. On 8 July 2007 a British national was one of two foreign nationals abducted from a vessel in a riverine location in Cross River State. See the Terrorism/Security section of this travel advice for more details.
We advise that the security situation in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States makes them unsafe for British nationals. We therefore advise British nationals to leave. If you stay, you do so at your own risk and should take professional security advice. The level of consular assistance we can provide is limited.
We advise against all but essential travel to Akwa Ibom State because of the high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks. You should maintain a high level of vigilance at all times, observe the strictest security measures and not travel unnecessarily. If travelling by road you should use fully protected transport. Six Russian nationals were abducted from a compound in Akwa Ibom State on 3 June 2007.
The high risk of kidnappings and other armed attacks in the Niger Delta applies also to ships and oil rigs at sea off the coast of the Delta. In 2007 there has been an increase in attacks offshore.
There is also a risk of kidnapping in other States in south-east Nigeria. On 17 March 2007, two Chinese nationals were abducted at Nnewi, Anambra State. A British national was one of two foreign nationals abducted from a vessel in a riverine area of Cross River State on 8 July. See the Terrorism/Security section of this travel advice for more details.
Localised outbreaks of civil unrest can occur at short notice. Details and advice are circulated via the British High Commission’s Community Liaison Officers’ network.
The most common incidents for which British nationals required consular assistance in Nigeria in 2006 were attempts by scam artists to extract money. Violent crime is prevalent in the south of the country, including Lagos. See the Crime section of this travel advice for more details.
You should be aware of the threat from terrorism in Nigeria. A statement issued by Usama Bin Laden in February 2003 called for an uprising by Muslims in a number of countries including Nigeria. He suggested that �faithful Muslims� rise up against the Nigerian Government. He also referred to �support for brothers� in Nigeria in December 2004.
Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Nigeria have resulted in one human fatality. As a precaution, you should avoid live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked. For further information see Avian Influenza section below and also read Avian and Pandemic Influenza Factsheet.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check that your insurance company provides personal insurance cover for you in Nigeria, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Check any exclusions. Please see: Travel Insurance.