foreign nationals and humanitarian workers in nigeria have faced instances of kidnapping, particularly in the northern regions, including states like adamawa, bauchi, borno, katsina, kano, and kebbi.
borno state, in particular, may present an elevated risk for kidnapping, especially for ngo personnel. british nationals, including tourists, aid workers, journalists, and business travelers, are unfortunately considered potential targets.
it is important to understand that if you were to be kidnapped, your reason for being in nigeria is unlikely to offer protection or guarantee a safe release.
the british government maintains a long-standing policy of not making concessions to hostage-takers. this stance is rooted in the belief that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners can bolster the capabilities of terrorist groups and provide them with financial resources, which in turn increases the risk of future hostage-taking incidents.
it's also crucial to note that the terrorism act in the uk prohibits payments to terrorists.
political gatherings, protests, and demonstrations can emerge with little advance notice. it is advisable to seek guidance on areas to avoid from local authorities, local news sources, or your travel operator.
if you encounter a threatening or intimidating situation, do not attempt to proceed through it. instead, your priority should be to turn around and move to a place of safety.
incidents of intercommunal violence occur with frequency and often without warning across nigeria.
while foreign nationals are not typically the primary targets, there remains a risk of becoming caught in such attacks. staying informed about announcements from local government and monitoring media reports is highly recommended. past protests have led to disruptions and violence, with security forces sometimes resorting to the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition.
protests can materialize with minimal warning.
on march 18th, a six-month state of emergency was declared in rivers state, located in the south-south geopolitical zone of nigeria. the foreign commonwealth & development office (fcdo) already advises against all but essential travel to rivers state and against any travel to its riverine areas.
british nationals are strongly advised to consult the latest fcdo travel advice and monitor local media for any updates. authorities in nigeria may impose, alter, or lift curfews and restrictions on vehicle movement on short notice throughout the country. failure to comply with these regulations can place you at significant risk of arrest and detention.
it is essential to verify current information with local authorities or individuals with local knowledge.
network operators in nigeria have, in the past, been directed to suspend mobile network and wi-fi services with very little prior notification.
across nigeria, there is a prevalence of violent street crime, including muggings and armed robberies. criminals sometimes target visiting british nationals, perceiving them as having greater wealth. it is advisable to adhere to guidance provided by hosts or employers and to limit road travel, especially after dark, whenever possible.
avoid carrying substantial amounts of cash and refrain from wearing valuable watches, jewelry, or items of sentimental significance.
if you sense danger, relocate to a more secure area. areas surrounding banks and automated teller machines (atms) have experienced an increase in criminal activity, so it is prudent to exercise extra caution when withdrawing money, particularly at night.
british nationals are increasingly becoming targets for scammers operating in west africa.
these scams manifest in various forms, including romance and friendship schemes, fraudulent business ventures, and deceptive job or employment opportunities. such scams can expose victims to considerable financial risk. be cautious about requests for funds, unsolicited job offers, improbable business proposals, and face-to-face meetings with individuals you have only interacted with online.
should a caller claim to be in distress, inquire whether they have reported the incident to the Consular Section of the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos or the British High Commission in Abuja.
if you receive a suspicious email purporting to be from any British High Commission office in nigeria, it is advisable to contact the Consular Section of the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos for verification.
the united kingdom has implemented restrictions on the overseas adoption of children from nigeria.
if you bring a child who is not biologically related to you into the uk without adhering to the proper legal procedures, you could face prosecution, and the child may be deemed ineligible for british citizenship.
kidnapping is a widespread problem throughout nigeria, with particularly severe occurrences in the northwest.
there has been a notable increase in kidnappings within the abuja federal capital territory area. the niger delta region presents a high threat of kidnapping and other armed attacks, particularly targeting oil and gas facilities, including those offshore.
potential targets for kidnapping may include british nationals of nigerian origin visiting friends and relatives, as well as british nationals employed by international corporations, who are perceived to have connections within the country and ready access to funds.
there is a possibility that criminal groups may sell abducted individuals as hostages to terrorist organizations.
when arranging meetings, it is crucial to utilize a secure location. avoid predictable travel patterns and aim to travel only during daylight hours. your sim card must be linked to a nigerian identification number. it is recommended to seek guidance from your network operator.
nigeria has the largest muslim population in sub-saharan africa.
it is important to behave and dress modestly, especially in the northern regions and when visiting religious sites.
ramadan is a sacred month for muslims, and its dates vary annually. during this period, in any predominantly muslim area, you should refrain from certain actions, such as eating, drinking, and smoking publicly during fasting hours.
furthermore, driving may be erratic, particularly at dusk when people are returning home to break their fast.
the possession or use of illegal drugs, including cannabis, carries severe penalties in nigeria. you should anticipate lengthy jail sentences and substantial fines for possessing, using, or smuggling illegal drugs, even when in transit.
nigeria possesses advanced technology and security measures for detecting illegal items at its borders, which are also employed to scan the baggage of transit passengers.
legal landscape and risks for gay individuals
same-sex sexual activity is illegal in nigeria, with penalties extending up to 14 years in prison.
in some northern states, sharia law is observed, which can prescribe the death penalty for same-sex sexual activity. the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act (ssmpa) further criminalizes anyone who assists in the registration, organization, or participation in gay groups or organizations, as well as those who publicly promote same-sex relationships.
same-sex relationships are generally viewed as socially unacceptable within Nigerian society. if you plan to drive in nigeria, it is advisable to consult specific information regarding driving abroad.
there have been legal proceedings against individuals charged under the ssmpa.
in one instance, 47 out of 57 individuals arrested pleaded not guilty to charges under section 5(2) of the ssmpa. the case was adjourned, and the defendants were granted bail under specific conditions. in another event, nigerian police arrested numerous men and women at a hotel party in asaba, delta state.
witnesses reported instances of police brutality during the arrests. these individuals were reportedly facing charges in court, although the outcomes of these cases remain unclear.
on august 26th, 57 men were apprehended at a hotel in the egbeda district of lagos.
they were brought before a chief magistrate and pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy, membership of a secret cult, and unlawful gathering. they were remanded in custody pending fulfillment of their bail conditions, which included a monetary payment and one surety each.
subsequently, they were charged under the ssmpa. the us department of state's report for nigeria indicated that the government brought formal charges under the ssmpa for the first time in a particular year. reports suggest the accused pleaded not guilty, and the case was adjourned, with the outcome still uncertain.
in july, police arrested over 40 men at a hotel during an hiv awareness event.
the police reportedly paraded the individuals to the media, disclosing their names, photographs, and hiv status. the hotel owner and two staff members were charged with aiding and abetting homosexual activities, contrary to section 5(2) of the ssmpa. in january, an islamic law enforcement agency in kano arrested 12 men for allegedly planning a same-sex wedding.
in the northern state of bauchi, a crackdown following the signing of the ssmpa led to the arrest of 38 men, with searches conducted for others whose names appeared on a list of suspects compiled under alleged torture. it is reported that at least four arrested men were convicted and publicly whipped, though the fate of most others remains unclear.
in january, a year-old individual was tried and convicted of sodomy.
thousands of protestors threw stones at a sharia court in bauchi, demanding death sentences for 11 men arrested for belonging to gay organizations. the court was compelled to suspend the trial, and security forces were required to disperse the mob. in february, three men, aged between 18 and 64, were arrested.
two pastors were arrested, charged, and prosecuted in january for unlawful carnal knowledge after being caught engaging in sexual activity in a lagos hotel.
a man identified as sadiq was reportedly arrested in august and subjected to physical assault based on allegations of homosexual conduct.
in the same month, another pastor was accused, charged, and prosecuted for having carnal knowledge with a year-old man, based on unsubstantiated rumors from locals. LGBT advocates report that the accused may have been subjected to beatings during his detention. two men, aged 35 and 22, were arraigned in jos in october and charged with homosexual acts under a section of the penal code.
these arrests brought the total number of individuals in prison or awaiting trial to a significant figure. also in october, two men, aged 18 and 19, were arraigned on charges of homosexual activity. police in northern nigeria detained four men over the christmas holidays, allegedly torturing them until they identified other members of a gay organization.
the introduction of the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act in marked a significant negative shift in the legal environment for LGBT individuals in nigeria.
this includes entrapment of LGBT community members through online dating applications, leading to kidnappings, beatings, and extortion. the initiative for equal rights (tiers) has reported that these "kito gangs" have become increasingly organized, establishing bases in serviced apartments and utilizing point-of-sales machines for extortion.
tiers, a local non-governmental organization, has documented instances of human rights violations based on real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. these violations include assault, blackmail, mass arrests, forced evictions, and mob violence.
the initiative for equal rights has consistently reported human rights abuses related to sexual orientation or gender identity in various years.
common violations by state actors include invasion of privacy, arbitrary arrest, and unlawful detention. by non-state actors, the most frequent abuses are blackmail, extortion, assault, and battery. in august, a podcast shared the story of a lesbian woman in nigeria who was displaced, blackmailed, and faced potential arrest due to her sexual orientation.
victims have been subjected to severe physical violence by mobs, including beatings with objects like spiked sticks, wires, whips, and broken furniture. some victims were taken to police stations where officers allegedly insulted and assaulted them, with some officers reportedly joining in the beatings.
mobs have also attempted to set fire to the homes of suspected gay men.
a senior police officer in one region reportedly gave victims of a mob attack 48 hours to leave the area. in another incident, two individuals were charged under the same-sex marriage prohibition bill, even though it had not yet been signed into law.
they were detained for two days and subsequently released after paying a bribe.
support and resources
several organizations are dedicated to supporting marginalized groups, including the LGBT community in nigeria:
- an organization focused on tackling discrimination against marginalized groups, including those based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
- an organization committed to improving the health and human rights of key populations affected by the ssmpa.
- a nigerian organization working to ensure the protection of human rights for all individuals, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
- an organization dedicated to promoting the health and rights of marginalized groups, including LGBT individuals.
neighboring countries such as cameroon and chad also criminalize same-sex sexual activity between men and, in some cases, between women.
ghana criminalizes same-sex sexual activity between men. we strive to ensure the accuracy and currency of the information provided on our website to the best of our knowledge. if you believe any information is inaccurate, please inform us via email at [email protected].
the information presented on this website is for general guidance only and should not be considered a definitive legal interpretation.
over 60 countries continue to criminalize individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. collective efforts are essential to reduce this number.
your donation can significantly support ongoing efforts to advocate for decriminalization and assist LGBT individuals and governments worldwide seeking legal reform. this briefing note, prepared by the human dignity trust, examines how nigeria's Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act conflicts with nigeria's constitution and international obligations, and how it hinders effective measures to control the hiv epidemic.
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