Security Overview for Nigeria

Nigeria has a high crime rate. Violent and petty crimes are common in most areas, particularly in cities. Few, if any, areas of Lagos can be considered safe. Exercise caution in all areas, including more secure areas such as Victoria and the Ikoyi Islands, where armed robberies are on the increase. Do not venture outside alone at night ; carjackings, muggings, and robberies are common, and petty crimes often turn violent if a victim resists.

The police force is crippled by limited manpower, a lack of vehicles, and widespread corruption. Beware of "419" scams (fraudulent offers by con artists) targeting businesspeople. These scams may cause great financial losses. Never divulge personal information to anyone you do not know well, either in person or on the telephone.

The use of public transportation is not recommended. Vehicles are frequently overcrowded and are subject to breakdowns due to poor maintenance.

Carjackings and roadside banditry are common occurrences. Limit all travel to daylight hours, and never travel alone. Avoid remote areas and slums at all times. If your vehicle comes under attack, or if you are traveling a dangerous stretch of road, be ready to take evasive action. Do not stop for any reason (drive on flat tires if necessary) until reaching safety.

Most international flights arrive and depart Lagos at night, which is the riskiest time to be on the road. If arriving in Lagos after sundown, arrange for someone to meet you, or stay at a hotel near the airport to avoid the risks associated with nighttime driving.

Large-scale civil unrest, including demonstrations and strikes, can occur at any time and can spark violence with rioting and looting. Demonstrations can draw thousands of participants and are usually related to labor and political issues. Give all demonstrations and rallies a wide berth. Expect political intimidation, violence, fraud, and other associated crimes to occur during political campaigns and election periods. The government's ability to maintain order and contain ethnic and religious conflict is tenuous at best.

Firms operating in Nigeria face a range of associated risks. Ethnic and communal violence among the country's 250 ethnic groups occasionally erupts in the country's rural areas. Religious tensions occasionally escalate into violent clashes between Muslims and southern Christians. These clashes tend to result in tit-for-tat reprisal attacks in areas hosting Nigerians of both religious groups.

Niger Delta
Over the past 10 years, security in the Niger Delta has been poor, but conditions have steadily deteriorated since the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) fractured, forming several criminal gangs. MEND portrays itself as the voice of local communities that reap few benefits from oil production. The movement is backed by several politicians and arms itself by oil "bunkering" (selling oil siphoned from pipelines).

Kidnappings of workers in the oil industry have become a routine occurrence in the region. While it is unusual for hostages to be killed, they can face the possibility of health problems, such as exposure to malaria, during captivity. There is also the possibility of being killed during unsuccessful rescue attempts. Militant groups target anyone, including women, children, and the elderly, perceived to be affluent. They normally release their hostages as soon as a ransom payment is received.
Violence in the delta has decreased since a government amnesty program saw the disarmament of thousands of militants in 2009. However, various criminal gangs and MEND remain active in the region, maintaining the threat of violence.

Boko Haram
Boko Haram is an Islamist militant group based out of Maiduguri, Borno State, in northern Nigeria. The Hausa name means "Western education is a sin." The group emerged in 2009 with a series of attacks against security forces and civilians that saw the deaths of around 800 people in northern Nigeria. Boko Haram continues to launch targeted attacks on security forces, government offices, and religious institutions in Adamawa, Borno, Bauchi, Kano, and Yobe states, often in the form of drive-by shootings, bombings, and shootouts with police. The group's violent activities have continued unabated in northern Nigeria and expanded in late 2011 to include other institutions throughout the country. Boko Haram members detonated a car bomb outside of the National Police Headquarters in Abuja and staged a truck bombing at the UN building in Abuja, killing 25 people. The insurgent group also staged a string of Christmas Day attacks on churches in Madalla, outside Abuja, Jos, Plateau State, and on government offices in the Yobe State capital of Damaturu. Boko Haram's focus on Christian institutions has raised religious tensions in Nigeria, and the resulting tension could spark a broader, nationwide, religious conflict .

The group has claimed to have received training from Al-Shabaab in Somalia and is suspected of having ties with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb in Niger. Boko Haram attacks continue despite increased security in the country's northeast. The threat of attacks is spreading throughout the country.

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How we determine a country's overall security rating

Each country's current overall risk rating is determined by considering categorical assessments in kidnapping, crime, security services, civil unrest, terrorism and geopolitical stability.

Minimal Threat

Most countries in this category have a stable political infrastructure and economic system with a low rate of unemployment. These countries have overall low rates of crime. Violent crime is almost non-existent. Petty crimes do occur, but are usually limited to petty theft and pick pocketing. Police and military services are trained and trustworthy, but may lack investigative and crime fighting equipment and skills. Strikes and demonstrations are rare and if they occur are usually well planned and managed and rarely spurn violent incidents. There are no known insurgent or terrorist groups.

Low Threat

Most countries in this category will have a stable political infrastructure and economic system with some unemployment. These countries have low crime rates. Violent crimes are rare and usually involve associated persons. Petty crimes such as theft and pick pocketing are a concern and travelers may be directly targeted. Risks can usually be mitigated with simple security measures. Police and military services are well trained and trustworthy but may lack adequate investigative equipment. Incidents of civil unrest such as strikes and demonstrations may disrupt daily life, but are usually non-violent and well coordinated. These countries may experience rare instances of domestic terrorist activity but are not threatened by international terrorism. Anti-government groups may be present but have little or no impact.

Moderate Threat

Most countries in this category will have a somewhat stable political infrastructure and economic system but unemployment and rising inflation cause some instability. These countries have moderate levels of crime. Violent crimes such as sexual assault and murder occur, but few are random incidents. Petty crimes, especially theft or destruction of unattended property, are common. Incidents of armed assault also occur. More threatening crimes are usually limited to urban areas or certain parts of the country. Police and military services may suffer from corruption and lack of training, but are generally adequate for investigations. Strikes and demonstrations can disrupt daily life and may easily spur violence. This country may have a variety of anti-government and domestic terrorist groups that are organized and outspoken against the government and may conduct incidents of violence. Small cells of international terrorist organizations exist but incidents of terrorism are not common.

High Threat

Most countries in the category have unstable political infrastructure and economic system with high rates of unemployment and inflation. Violent and petty crimes are common in most areas and random acts of violence do occur. Some areas may have a general state of lawlessness. Traveling alone, especially at night, should be avoided. There will be a large infiltration of arms in the population. Police and military services lack training and equipment. Both institutions are prone to corruption. Strikes and demonstrations are common and usually violent. Domestic terrorist and insurgent groups are active and well organized. They conduct bombings and other violent acts against government, local and international interests. International terrorist groups exist and may conduct activities within the country and abroad. The country may be involved in cross border warfare.

Extreme Threat

Most countries in this category lack a political infrastructure with any democratic premise and have a high rate of corruption. The economy is unstable with a high rate of unemployment. There is a very high rate of violent and petty crime. A general state of lawlessness exists in most urban and remote areas. Overland travel through the country must be avoided. Many domestic terrorist or rebel groups exist and are frequently active; areas of the country may be controlled by rebel factions. International terrorist operations may be well organized and active. Anti- government actions and large demonstrations are common and violent. Cross border and internal warfare occur.