The Australian government has issued a stern travel warning, advising its citizens to avoid traveling to Nigeria due to the country’s volatile security environment.
This warning comes amid alarming data from Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics, which reported a staggering 2,235,954 abductions between May 2023 and April 2024, with ransom payments totaling an estimated N2.2 trillion.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has urged citizens to reconsider traveling to Nigeria, citing widespread insecurity, terrorism, kidnapping, and the risk of civil unrest. The advisory specifically mentions 21 states, including Adamawa, Borno, Kaduna, Rivers, Zamfara, and Imo, as high-risk areas for terrorism, violent crime, and civil unrest.
The travel warning notes that there is a high risk of terrorist attacks across Nigeria, targeting foreign interests, crowded areas, and public gatherings.
Additionally, the threat of kidnapping is high in all parts of Nigeria, with terrorist organizations and criminal groups targeting foreigners and locals alike. Violent crime is also common in Nigeria, including armed robbery, homicide, and civil unrest.
Australians are advised to exercise extreme caution or avoid these regions entirely. If travel to Nigeria is unavoidable, citizens are urged to take necessary precautions, including staying informed about local conditions, avoiding crowded areas, and seeking professional security advice.
This travel warning comes as thousands of tourists, including celebrities and Nigerians living abroad, flock to the country for the popular ‘Detty December’ end-of-year celebrations.
