Thursday, April 9, 2026 - The US Department of State has permitted non-emergency US government employees and their family members to leave the US Embassy in Abuja, citing a deteriorating security situation across Nigeria.
In a travel advisory issued on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the
department noted that Americans are advised to reconsider travel to the Nigeri
due to crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest.
The advisory classified the overall travel advisory for
Nigeria as “Level 3: Reconsider Travel,” while some states are at “Level 4: Do
Not Travel.”
The department also added Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and
Taraba states to the list of “Do Not Travel” areas, bringing the total to 23
states where travel is strongly discouraged.
“On April 8, 2026, the Department of State authorized
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,” the advisory read.
“Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism,
unrest, kidnapping, and inconsistent availability of health care services. Some
areas have increased risk,” it added.
Level 4 states that U.S. citizens are urged to avoid
include, in the North, Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba,
Yobe, and northern Adamawa states, due to terrorism, crime, and
kidnapping.
The advisory also listed Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano,
Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states, citing unrest, crime, and
kidnapping.
“The 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.
“Security operations to counter these threats may occur
without warning,” the advisory said.
In Southern and Southeastern Nigeria, the department urged
citizens to avoid Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states
(excluding Port Harcourt) due to crime, kidnapping, and unrest.
“Crime is widespread in Southern Nigeria. There is a high
risk of kidnapping, violent protests, and armed gangs,” the advisory
added.
The advisory noted that violent crimes, including armed
robbery, carjacking, and kidnapping for ransom, are widespread and U.S.
citizens are perceived as wealthy and are frequent targets.
It said terrorist attacks remain a threat across the
country, including at markets, shopping centers, hotels, places of worship, and
public gatherings.
It further described health services in Nigeria as limited
and inconsistent, with medical facilities generally not meeting U.S. or
European standards.
The State Department, however, urged U.S. citizens
considering travel to Nigeria to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment
Program for important updates, exercise caution while traveling, avoid
demonstrations and large gatherings, and establish personal safety and “proof
of life” protocols.
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