…Nigeria records 81% drop in terror-related deaths since 2015 —Presidency
By Nkiruka Nnorom
United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, FCDO, has issued a fresh warning against travel to parts of Nigeria, citing escalating insecurity, violent crime, terrorism and kidnappings across multiple regions.
However, the Presidency said the country witnessed 81 per cent decrease in terror-related deaths since 2015.
But in its latest Foreign Travel Advice published on GOV.UK yesterday, the FCDO stated: “Insecurity is increasing across Nigeria. Kidnapping, violent crime, and intercommunal violence occur throughout all regions of Nigeria.”
The advisory urged British nationals to exercise extreme caution, review safety procedures, and ensure they had contingency plans in place.
The FCDO advised against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, and Zamfara states, citing a “high and increasing threat from Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa, particularly around transport hubs, religious areas and large gatherings.”
The statement warned that “humanitarian personnel, vehicles, supplies, and infrastructure can be targeted by terrorists and criminals.”
In addition, the UK government advised against all but essential travel to Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, and Taraba states, as well as the outer suburbs of Abuja within the Federal Capital Territory.
The FCDO said: “Violent crime, often involving firearms, has increased and spread from the outer suburbs to more central, wealthier areas of the city.
“British government staff in Nigeria have been advised to restrict travel to an area broadly within the Abuja metropolitan area.”
It also identified protests in Abuja as potential flashpoints, saying “there are protests in Abuja from time to time, which can turn violent.
‘’Monitor local media, avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, and follow instructions from local police and security forces.’’
The advisory painted a particularly alarming picture of the North-East region, where “regular military operations are ongoing in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states”, adding that the place remained “a risk of retaliatory attacks.”
Those in Maiduguri were cautioned that “if security were to deteriorate any further, it could be extremely difficult for you to leave the city.”
In the South-East and South-South, the FCDO warned against all travel to “the riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.”
The department stated that “militant groups are active across the Niger Delta and have carried out many attacks on oil and gas infrastructure.”
It further cautioned that “there’s a high risk of armed robbery, criminality and kidnap” in the region.
The advisory also raised concern over “secessionist groups active in the south-east,” noting that “attacks and violent clashes often occur with the military and other security forces.”
It warned travellers that “although foreign nationals are not normally targeted, there is a risk you could be caught in an attack.”
In the South-West, including Lagos, the FCDO described violent crimes such as “mugging, kidnapping, car-jacking and armed robbery” as “common, particularly in the larger cities.”
While large-scale terrorist attacks are rare, “Islamic State West Africa claimed two attacks in 2022,” though none targeted foreign nationals.
Travellers were advised to “be cautious when travelling in Lagos, particularly on the mainland,” and to avoid moving around at night.
The FCDO concluded its guidance by urging anyone currently in high-risk areas to “be alert and take any security advice given by your hotel, employer or your hosts,” and to “make sure your safety procedures and contingency plans are up to date.”
Nigeria records 81% drop in terror-related deaths since 2015 – Presidency
Meanwhile, the Presidency said yesterday that there had been 81 per cent decrease in terror-related deaths since 2015.
In a statement posted on its official X account, the Presidency said the decline reflected improved counter-insurgency operations and stronger collaboration between the country’s security agencies and affected communities.
It added that more than 13,000 terrorists had been neutralised in the past year, while over 124,000 fighters and their dependents have surrendered to authorities.
The statement also noted that more than 2.1 million internally displaced persons, IDPs, have returned home, with new communities being rebuilt in previously affected areas as normalcy gradually returns.
According to the Presidency, the federal government has established a resettlement scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflict to help rebuild affected communities and reintegrate displaced persons.
“Since 2023, the federal government, through enhanced inter-agency cooperation, has vigorously pursued, arrested, eliminated, or successfully convicted terrorists and insurgents, especially those responsible for some of the most heinous attacks on Nigerian territory.
“Since 2024, over 124 terrorists and insurgents have been successfully convicted, while others, including members of the Ansaru leadership and those responsible for the Owo Church bombing in 2022, as well as the Yelwata (Benue) reprisal and counter-reprisal attacks, are undergoing trial in various courts,” the statement added.
The Presidency said further that joint security task forces, enhanced border patrols with local and regional partners, compensation for victims, permanent joint patrols, and intelligence collaboration with international allies were among the measures being implemented to further protect lives and safeguard national sovereignty.
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