Nigeria. Before crossing by land between Nigeria and Benin, Niger or Cameroon, check with the relevant border and immigration authorities that your crossing point is open and check the current entry and exit requirements.

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10.11.2026 · 15:30

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Nigeria

Before crossing by land between Nigeria and Benin, Niger or Cameroon, check with the relevant border and immigration authorities that your crossing point is open and check the current entry and exit requirements. Read the travel advice for both countries and the regional risks advice for your whole route. An open border crossing does not mean the journey is safe or that FCDO advice against travel no longer applies.

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Nigeria

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Nigeria.

The primary terrorist threat in Nigeria comes from Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) and Boko Haram. These groups are mainly based in north-east Nigeria in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. In recent years, there have also been attacks likely associated with terrorist groups in the following states: Borno, Gombe, Niger, Kaduna, Kogi, Bauchi, Ondo, Zamfara, Taraba, Jigawa, Sokoto, Edo and Kano states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

Attacks could be indiscriminate and could occur at any time, including in places visited by foreign nationals, such as:

places of worship
markets
malls
hotels
bars and restaurants
sports venues and screenings
displacement camps
train networks and stations
government buildings
educational institution
international organisations
large public gatherings
military locations and venues within them

Take particular care during election periods, or periods of religious significance or other public holidays.

Terrorist groups have also constructed unauthorised vehicle checkpoints on major supply and commercial routes, such as the A3 Maiduguri-Damaturu Road.

A heavy security presence is often a sign of a particularly high risk. Avoid affected areas in the immediate aftermath of an attack. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

Recent significant attacks include:

in 2025, 5 people were killed and 35 injured, in an IED attack on Maiduguri Mosque in Borno state

in 2025, one soldier was killed in an attack in Kwara state. This was the first time that al-Qa’eda affiliated group JNIM have claimed an attack in Nigeria

in 2025, 63 people were killed in a firearms attack in Darajamal, Borno state. Boko Haram are believed to have been responsible

in 2025, 16 people were killed in a firearms attack in Morai, Kebbi state

in 2024, at least 37 people were killed in an attack on Mafa town, Yobe state. ISWA claimed responsibility for the attack

in 2024, 30 people were killed in coordinated suicide bombings in Gwoza, Borno state

Terrorist kidnap

Terrorist groups are highly likely to carry out kidnaps in Nigeria. Kidnappings are widespread and could occur anywhere. Foreign nationals and humanitarian workers have been kidnapped in the North, including in the states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Katsina, Kano and Kebbi. There may be an increased risk of terrorist kidnap, particularly to NGO workers, in Borno State.

British nationals are seen as legitimate targets, including tourists, humanitarian aid workers, journalists and business travellers. If you are kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to protect you or secure your safe release.

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 builds the capability of terrorist groups and finances their activities. This can, in turn, increase the risk of further hostage-taking. The Terrorism Act (2000) makes payments to terrorists illegal.

When arranging meetings, use a secure location. Avoid regular patterns of travel and aim to only travel during daylight hours.

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Nigeria.

Attacks could be indiscriminate and could occur at any time, including in places visited by foreign nationals, such as:

places of worship
markets
malls
hotels
bars and restaurants
sports venues and screenings
displacement camps
train networks and stations
government buildings
educational institution
international organisations
large public gatherings
military locations and venues within them

Take particular care during election periods, or periods of religious significance or other public holidays.

Terrorist groups have also constructed unauthorised vehicle checkpoints on major supply and commercial routes, such as the A3 Maiduguri-Damaturu Road.

Recent significant attacks include:

in 2025, 5 people were killed and 35 injured, in an IED attack on Maiduguri Mosque in Borno state

in 2025, one soldier was killed in an attack in Kwara state. This was the first time that al-Qa’eda affiliated group JNIM have claimed an attack in Nigeria

in 2025, 63 people were killed in a firearms attack in Darajamal, Borno state. Boko Haram are believed to have been responsible

in 2025, 16 people were killed in a firearms attack in Morai, Kebbi state

in 2024, at least 37 people were killed in an attack on Mafa town, Yobe state. ISWA claimed responsibility for the attack

in 2024, 30 people were killed in coordinated suicide bombings in Gwoza, Borno state

When arranging meetings, use a secure location. Avoid regular patterns of travel and aim to only travel during daylight hours.

Street and vehicle crime

Levels of violent crime are high throughout Nigeria, including muggings, armed robbery, carjacking and kidnap.

There are frequent reports of armed robbery, carjacking and kidnap on roads across Nigeria. Risks can be higher outside major urban areas and when travelling at night.

The Nigerian authorities, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), have highlighted the risks associated with road travel at night. Travelling after dark can increase exposure to both security and road safety risks.

Criminals may target foreign nationals, including British nationals, due to their perceived wealth. Follow the advice of your host, employer or local contacts and considerlimiting unnecessary road travel after dark.

Limit the amount of cash you carry and keep valuable items such as watches and jewellery out of sight. Stay aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings secure.

If you are the victim of an armed robbery, comply with the attackers’ demands and do not resist.

Withdrawing and exchanging money

Criminals may target people withdrawing cash from banks and ATMs. Take extra care when withdrawing money, particularly after dark.

Credit card fraud is common. Always keep your card within sight when making payments and regularly check your account for unauthorised transactions.

Financial scams

British nationals are frequently targeted by scammers operating in West Africa. Scams can take many forms, including romance and friendship scams, fraudulent business opportunities, investment schemes, inheritance claims and fake job offers.

Be cautious if you receive unsolicited requests for money, investment opportunities or employment offers. Be wary of anyone you have only met online and avoid sending money or sharing personal or financial information with people you do not know.

If you are asked to transfer money to Nigeria on behalf of someone claiming to be a friend or relative, contact them using a trusted method to confirm the request is genuine.

If someone contacts you claiming to be a British national in distress in Nigeria and requesting financial assistance, verify their identity independently.

Scammers sometimes impersonate the British High Commission or other UK government organisations. If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from the British High Commission in Nigeria, contact the High Commission directly using contact details published on GOV.UK or the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos. Please report any scams to Action Fraud.

For more information on common scams and how to protect yourself, see GOV.UK guidance on avoiding and reporting internet scams and phishing

Surrogacy and fertility treatment

If you’re considering fertility treatment or surrogacy options in Nigeria, exercise caution. There have been reports of staged fake births, commonly referred to as ‘miracle babies’, where visitors are falsely led to believe that a birth has taken place.

Regulation of fertility treatment and surrogacy services in Nigeria is weak, and legal protections for intended parents and surrogates may be limited. There have also been reports of legal disputes involving international surrogacy arrangements in both Nigerian and English courts.

If you plan to bring a child born through fertility treatment or surrogacy in Nigeria to the UK, make sure you understand the relevant UK immigration and health requirements. See Guidance on surrogacy overseas.

Overseas Adoption

The UK has restricted overseas adoption of children from Nigeria. If you bring a child who is not biologically related to you into the UK without following the legal procedures, you could face prosecution and the child may not be eligible for British citizenship.

Kidnapping for ransom

There is a high threat of kidnapping across Nigeria. Kidnappings happen in both rural and urban areas, including on roads between towns and cities. British nationals could be targeted, including people travelling for work or visiting friends and relatives.

The threat varies by location. Armed criminal groups carry out kidnappings in the north-west and north-central regions. There is also a high threat of kidnapping by terrorist groups in the north-east. However, kidnappings are not limited to these areas. Incidents also occur in southern Nigeria and the outer suburbs of Abuja.

Read the regional risks advice for your destination and any areas you plan to travel through.

Before travelling by road:

check current security conditions along your whole route

use trusted transport providers

plan journeys to arrive before dark

vary your routes and routines where possible

keep up to date with local security information and follow the advice of local authorities

Do not assume that major roads are safe. Travelling during daylight does not remove the risk of kidnapping.

In the Niger Delta, there is a risk of kidnapping and armed attacks, including people working at oil and gas facilities and offshore installations. If you are travelling for work, check that your employer has appropriate security arrangements and emergency plans.

Kidnappers may target people they believe can pay a ransom, or whose relatives or employers can pay. Criminal groups may transfer hostages to terrorist organisations. Read the ‘Terrorist kidnap’ advice alongside this section.

Vary your routines and arrange meetings in secure locations. Keep up to date with local security information and follow the advice of local authorities.

Check FCDO’s travel advice before making arrangements and again before travelling. Security precautions do not make it safe to travel to areas where FCDO advises against travel.

Methanol poisoning

There have been deaths and cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in Nigeria.

Where incidents have been reported, Nigerian authorities have sought to shut down production centres, particularly for unlicensed traditional gin. Avoid drinking unlicensed products.

Even small amounts of methanol can kill. It is not possible to identify methanol in alcoholic drinks by taste or smell. See Travel Aware Spiking and methanol poisoning for information about how to reduce the risks.

Seek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are travelling with show the signs of methanol poisoning after drinking.