Nigeria: Ambush and kidnapping near Port Harcourt August 7

Event

Unidentified gunmen hijacked a bus traveling to Lagos from Rivers state in Elibrada, Emohua area (near Port Harcourt), on Monday, August 7. According to local source, the assailants blocked the road and opened fire on the bus before abducting 16 people and taking them into the bush. Police forces have reportedly launched a manhunt to find the assailants.

Context

Kidnapping is a longstanding concern in Nigeria. Both foreigners and locals face a high threat of abduction throughout the country, particularly from Boko Haram or from Niger Delta rebel groups. Expatriates face an especially high risk of kidnapping due to their perceived wealth compared to the local population.

Advice

The security environment in Nigeria is complex and particularly poor in the northeast and extreme south of the country due to the presence of armed groups, high crime rates, and the risk of kidnapping. Some Western governments consequently advise against travel to certain areas of the northeast (e.g. states of Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, and Jigawa as well as parts of Kano and Adamawa states) and the southern Niger Delta region (e.g. states of Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers). Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel to these areas.