TRAVEL ALERT: AUSTRALIA WARNS CITIZENS TO AVOID 26 NIGERIAN STATES
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
The Australian government on Tuesday expanded its travel warning for Nigeria, urging citizens to avoid 26 states amid escalating security risks, including terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime, and civil unrest.
The advisory was published on Smartraveller, the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s platform, which provides travel guidance for more than 175 countries. Each destination is assigned an overall advice level based on security conditions.
Australia’s latest guidance advises travellers to carefully reconsider any need to visit Nigeria, highlighting that the security situation across the country remains volatile and unpredictable.
“We continue to advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Nigeria due to the threat of terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime, and the risk of civil unrest. Higher risk levels apply in some areas,” the advisory stated.
The advisory warned of a high risk of terrorist attacks across Nigeria, urging travellers to remain vigilant, particularly in public places. It advised avoiding public demonstrations, rallies, and gatherings, which could occur suddenly and escalate into violence.
“Reconsider your need to travel to Nigeria, including the capital, Abuja, due to the volatile security situation and ongoing threats of terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime, and civil unrest,” the statement read.
The government specifically advised against travel to Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, and the Federal Capital Territory (excluding Abuja) due to the heightened security risks.
The Australian government also highlighted a high risk of terrorist attacks across Nigeria, warning that public places such as markets, hotels, transport hubs, places of worship, and government facilities could be potential targets.
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The advisory noted that the threat of kidnapping remains severe, with foreigners previously targeted for ransom. Authorities further cautioned that civil unrest, demonstrations, and strikes can erupt with little warning and may turn violent.
Travellers were reminded that consular assistance may be limited in high-risk areas and might not be available to those who ignore the travel guidance.
When approached for comment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa declined to respond.
The latest warning follows a similar advisory issued by Australia in 2024, which also urged citizens to reconsider travel to Nigeria due to widespread insecurity. Soon after that advisory, Nigeria issued a counter-warning to its citizens travelling to Australia, citing incidents of discrimination, harassment, and verbal abuse against foreigners.
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