Top 10 Most Dangerous States in Nigeria (2024)
With the current security challenges facing Nigeria as a country, it is fair to say that there are Nigerian states have been marked as an unsafe country to travel to. In a country where crime, kidnapping and killing has become a lucrative sector, no foreigner would love to stay or visit as there are no safe states in Nigeria to travel to at this moment.
Unsafe States in Nigeria by Nigerian Infopedia
While there are some fairly peaceful states, there are some dangerous states in Nigeria that carry high risk ratings and aren’t safe to live in, start a business in or even travel to. When a country’s government is known to be extremely corrupt and lacks human sympathy for its citizens, the rate of crime is tend to increase in these states.
With the agitation for independence by various regions in the country, Fulani herdsmen attacking villages, bandits, theft and a host of other untold hardship continue to plague the citizens, we have listed in this article the top 10 most dangerous states in Nigeria to travel to this 2024. This should help visitors be aware of these states and make a decision when planning to come into Nigeria.
TOP 10 MOST DANGEROUS STATES IN NIGERIA (2024)
According to PRA Nigeria Limited, a Nigeria Travel Advisory company, here are the 10 most dangerous states to avoid when coming into Nigeria.
YOBE STATE
Yobe state leads as the most dangerous state in Nigeria with an extreme level of insecurity plaguing the state as a whole. Kidnapping of innocent students, killing of inhabitants and a very high rate of criminal activity, makes this Nigerian state inhabitable. Located at the north-eastern region of the country, Yobe ranks as the worst state in Nigeria this 2024. The presence of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorist are found in this state.
BORNO STATE
Borno ranks as the second most unsafe state in the country with a rating of extreme insecurity and other environmental hazards terrorizing the state. Also located in the north-eastern region of Nigeria, the state refuses to live up to its slogan as the “home of peace”. Also, you can find one of the most wicked tribes in Nigeria occupying various local government areas of the state. It was reported on 9th July, 2020, a killing spree occurred in a village in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State where a group of gunmen on motorcycles and other vehicles for over two hours attacked the village and killed 82 people. The capital Maiduguri is regarded as the worst city in Nigeria also.
BAUCHI STATE
Is Bauchi safe to travel? Unfortunately, No. Bauchi is ranked as the third most dangerous place to travel in Nigeria today due to the high rate of kidnapping and terrorism plaguing the state on a daily basis. The state’s capital, Bauchi, is another unsafe city to be in this 2024. The menace of ISWAP and Boko Haram insurgents still wreck havoc to the indigenes of this state. Corruption is also a problem here as state funds which are meant to aid in the development of the state are mismanaged. Just recently, over 19 persons were reportedly killed near Tafawa Balewa, in Borogo, which is known as a Christian village.
ADAMAWA STATE
This is another state that is dangerous to travel to in Nigeria because the rate at which crime increases in various local government areas of this state is so unbearable that one should be very careful of going to Adamawa state. You often hear of ethnic clashes within the areas of this state. Also, bandits, Boko Haram insurgents are found rampaging the nooks and crannies of the state. The most dangerous ethnic group in the country can also be found here too.
PLATEAU STATE
If there is one state in Nigeria we should not go to right now due to the clash between farmers and Fulani cattle herdsmen, that state is Plateau state. Even those that are there are very careful about how they move around because of the high rate of kidnapping for ransom and many other security challenges. Just in 2018, it was reported that over 86 people died in Plateau as there were violent clashes between farmers and cattle herders. It even seem that the crime rate has gotten to the extent that the government can’t handle or control them.
KADUNA STATE
Another dangerous Nigerian state to avoid is Kaduna. In fact, visitors are expected to avoid traveling to this area due to the risk of terrorism, kidnapping, armed attacks, intercommunal and sectarian violence. Southern Kaduna and Northern Kaduna are always constantly at war. For example, on March 10 and 11, 2019, about 141 people were killed in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna state. Unfortunately, the government of the stat isn’t doing anything to curb such criminal activity within the state.
BAYELSA STATE
Bayelsa state which is located in the Niger-Delta is known as a hot spot for kidnappers in the country. This is due to the fact that this oil-producing state has a lot of oil companies and workers in it. Reports of the kidnapping of oil workers and rich citizens have recently filled the news, with criminal group such as MEND taking responsibility for the act. Pirate attacks are also a constant menace in this area. Bayelsa state is one of the richest states in Nigeria but still finds herself among the most dangerous states in the country.
SOKOTO STATE
Rated as the poorest state in Nigeria, Sokoto state also has its fair share of criminality and kidnapping within its environs. This is not surprising when the poverty level in this state is high. Its so bad that people are killed almost on a daily basis in this state. Also, this state is prone to diseases as residents suffer to get adequate healthcare due to neglect by the government of the day.
EDO STATE
Edo state has the highest number of cultism in Nigeria which makes it a dangerous state to live in Nigeria. You often hear of clashed between violent cult groups that results in blood shed among inhabitants of the state. Places like Auchi, Benin are just a few worst areas of the state to live in.
IMO STATE
With the recent news on constant killings in Imo state, south eastern region of Nigeria, Imo has become the only Igbo state that has become dangerous in Nigeria. This is not to say that other Igbo states are safe, but the level of unrest, soldiers and other security agents killing innocent people, Imo merits to be on this list. Owerri, the capital city is now ranked among the worst cities in Nigeria today.
CONCLUSION
With the above listed dangerous Nigerian states, you might be wondering which state is safe in Nigeria? The answer is no state is 100% safe. While there are some safe states that record low criminal activities and high development ratings, these states are just few. Enugu, Lagos, Abuja, Oyo, Ekiti, are just a few peaceful state in the country that record low crime rate. The only solution to this menace, is pure confederation, providing jobs, making the economy stable and equipping the security agencies with both weapons and good welfare to reduce these criminal activities in the country. This would ensure that these dangerous states in Nigeria are returned to peace.
