As insecurity continues to worsen across Nigeria, the United States Department of State has authorised the departure of non-emergency government workers and their family members from the US Embassy in Abuja.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an updated travel advisory released late on Wednesday, the department announced that effective April 8, 2026, American citizens are advised to reconsider travel to Nigeria due to escalating concerns over crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The advisory placed Nigeria under a \u201cLevel 3: Reconsider Travel\u201d classification, while designating several states under the stricter \u201cLevel 4: Do Not Travel\u201d category, indicating areas of extreme risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As part of the latest update, Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba states were newly added to the list of high-risk areas, bringing the total number of states under the \u201cDo Not Travel\u201d advisory to 23.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOn April 8, 2026, the Department of State authoriaed non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to leave U.S. Embassy Abuja due to the deteriorating security situation,\u201d the advisory stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and inconsistent availability of health care services. Some areas have increased risk,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The department outlined specific high-risk zones across the country. In the Northeast, states listed include Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, and northern parts of Adamawa, with terrorism, kidnapping, and criminal activities cited as major threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe security situation in these states is unstable and uncertain due to civil unrest. Widespread violence between communities and armed crime, including kidnapping and roadside banditry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSecurity operations to counter these threats may occur without warning,\u201d the advisory noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the Northwest, the department flagged Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states, warning of persistent unrest, crime, and kidnapping risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Southern and Southeastern Nigeria, the advisory urged caution in Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states excluding Port Harcourt due to high levels of crime, kidnapping, and civil disturbances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCrime is widespread in Southern Nigeria. There is a high risk of kidnapping, violent protests, and armed gangs,\u201d the department warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The advisory further stressed that violent crimes such as armed robbery, carjacking, and kidnapping for ransom are prevalent across the country, noting that U.S. citizens are often perceived as wealthy and therefore frequent targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also cautioned that terrorist attacks remain a persistent threat nationwide, including in markets, shopping centres, hotels, places of worship, and other public gatherings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond security concerns, the State Department highlighted challenges within Nigeria\u2019s healthcare system, describing medical services as limited and inconsistent, with facilities generally falling short of U.S. or European standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite the warnings, the department advised U.S. citizens who may still consider travel to Nigeria to enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for real-time updates, maintain heightened vigilance, avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, and establish personal safety measures, including \u201cproof of life\u201d protocols.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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