Nigeria: One German national kidnapped in Kano April 16

Event

One German national was reportedly kidnapped in the city of Kano (Kano state) on Monday morning, April 16. According to local sources, unidentified gunmen ambushed the individual's vehicle on the Sabon-Titi-Madobi road, killing one police officer assigned to the individual's security detail. As of April 16, the identity of the assailants, as well as the whereabouts of the kidnapped German national remain unknown.

Context

Kidnap for ransom - both of high net worth Nigerians and of foreign nationals - is commonplace in the country. On April 10, unidentified gunmen kidnapped the son of a Syrian businessman in Kano state; according to a police spokesperson, the victim was released on April 14.

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.