Nigeria: UK Amends Travel Advice

The Foreign Office of the United Kingdom (UK) Government has revised their travel advice for Nigeria. They are now advising against all travel to the Niger Delta, Nigeria's main oil and gas region, due to what they described as ''the high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks'' in the area.

The relevant summary points contained in a wire statement to our correspondent on Monday, however, reads:

We advise against all travel to the Niger Delta (Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States, including Port Harcourt). This is because of the very high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks in these areas. In fourteen separate incidents since January 2006, 30 British nationals and over 180 foreign nationals have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta area and one Briton has been killed. See the Terrorism/Security section of this travel advice for more details.
If you decide to travel to, or remain in, the Niger Delta you do so at your own risk. The level of consular assistance we can provide is limited. If your presence is essential, it would be reckless to travel to, or remain in, the Niger Delta unless you have taken appropriate professional security advice and have acted upon it. If travelling by road you should use fully protected transport.
We advise against all but essential travel to Akwa Ibom State because of the high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks in these areas. You should maintain a high level of vigilance at all times, observe the strictest security measures and not travel unnecessarily.
There is also a risk of kidnapping in other States in south-east Nigeria. On 17 March 2007, two Chinese nationals were taken hostage at Nnewi, Anambra State. 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.

ENDS

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