Nigeria: Italian national kidnapped near Benin City (Edo state) Oct. 12

Event

An Italian priest was reportedly kidnapped at gunpoint near Benin City (Edo state, south) on Thursday, October 12. The 63-year-old was abducted along with four others, though details surrounding the incident remain limited. A search operation is believed to be ongoing.

Context

Kidnap for ransom - both of high net worth Nigerians and of foreign nationals - is commonplace in the country, especially in the restive southern region. Edo state is located within the Niger Delta region, where a number of militant groups are active.

Advice

The security environment in Nigeria is complex and is particularly concerning 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.