Scam in NigeriaTheft
Armed robbery, including attacks on night road journeys in Nigeria
How it works
Robbers use threats or guns to take money and belongings. Travellers on interstate roads also face robbery at night. Resistance or attempts to trick robbers can lead to violence.
Warning signs
- Someone threatens you or displays a gun.
- Someone uses threats to demand your money or belongings.
How to avoid it
- Take interstate buses during daylight.
- If you are unfamiliar with the country, choose a bus service with an escort.
- Avoid walking at night in Abuja.
- Carry only the cash and valuables you need.
If it happens to you
Stay calm and cooperate. Avoid sudden movements, resistance or tricks. Once safe, contact the police and your embassy.
- Get somewhere safe. If a robber is armed, stay calm, cooperate and do not chase them.
- Freeze any stolen or exposed cards. Contact your bank and dispute payments you did not approve.
- If your phone was stolen, use another device to lock it remotely and secure your email, banking and other important accounts.
- Save receipts, booking details, transaction records and a short account of what happened. Record vehicle details only if it is safe.
- Report the incident to the police and ask for a report reference or written record.
- Contact your embassy if you need help, especially after robbery or passport theft. Notify your insurer if you plan to claim.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Government adviceSafety and security - Nigeria travel advice - GOV.UKThe UK government reports frequent armed robberies on Nigerian roads, with greater risks outside major urban areas and during night journeys.Read on Government advice
- Government advice2026Nigeria Travel Advice & Safety | SmartravellerAustralian travel advice describes armed robbery and attacks on motorists between cities, noting that crime increases at night in cities and on highways.Read on Government advice
- Government adviceNigeriaNew Zealand travel advice reports high rates of armed robbery and says crime is more prevalent at night in urban areas and on main highways.Read on Government advice
Questions
What is the armed robbery, including attacks on night road journeys scam in Nigeria?
Robbers use threats or guns to take money and belongings. Travellers on interstate roads also face robbery at night. Resistance or attempts to trick robbers can lead to violence.
How can I spot it early?
Someone threatens you or displays a gun. Someone uses threats to demand your money or belongings.
How do I avoid armed robbery, including attacks on night road journeys in Nigeria?
Take interstate buses during daylight. If you are unfamiliar with the country, choose a bus service with an escort. Avoid walking at night in Abuja. Carry only the cash and valuables you need.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Stay calm and cooperate. Avoid sudden movements, resistance or tricks. Once safe, contact the police and your embassy.
Where in Nigeria does this happen?
Lagos, Abuja and interstate roads at night It has been reported in Lagos, Abuja.
How common is this scam in Nigeria?
Common. Travellers in Nigeria should watch for money-changing tricks, card fraud and unsafe unofficial taxis. Street money changers may short-change you, while card cloning and hotel-payment fraud are also reported. Theft and armed robbery are serious concerns, particularly in Lagos.
Are there similar scams in Nigeria?
Yes: car hijacking, phone and wallet pickpocketing.
Who can I report it to?
Police: once safe, report robbery, theft or fraud. Provide the time, place, losses and any records. Ask for a report reference or written record. Card issuer or bank: use your banking app or a trusted contact number to freeze the card and report suspicious activity. Ask how to dispute unauthorised transactions. Your embassy: contact your embassy after a robbery or if your passport is stolen. In Abuja, embassy contact is specifically recommended after robbery. Hotel management or ride-booking provider: report an incident involving their service through reception or the booking app. Keep payment and booking records. Travel insurer: use the contact details in your policy. Ask which receipts, police records and other evidence are needed for a claim.
Reviewed by @snuck