Nigeria: Kidnapped UK nationals released November 6 /update 1

Event

The UK Foreign Office announced on Monday, November 6, that three hostages had been safely released and returned to the UK. A fourth UK national that was held with the others by a local militant group was reportedly killed; the exact circumstances of his death remain unclear. Local authorities and the UK government reportedly negotiated the release of the hostages. The Foreign Office did not state if a ransom was paid.

Context

The four UK nationals were reportedly involved in missionary activity when they were kidnapped in Enukorowa community in the Burutu area of Delta state on Friday, October 13.

Kidnap for ransom - both of high net worth Nigerians and of foreign nationals - is commonplace in the country, especially in the restive southern region. Delta 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.