THE United States Department of State has authorised the departure of non-emergency government personnel and their family members from the US Embassy in Abuja, citing a worsening security situation across Nigeria.
News Point Nigeria reports that 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.
The advisory placed Nigeria under a “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” classification, while designating several states under the stricter “Level 4: Do Not Travel” category, indicating areas of extreme risk.
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 “Do Not Travel” advisory to 23.
“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 stated.
“Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and inconsistent availability of health care services. Some areas have increased risk,” it added.
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.
“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 noted.
In the Northwest, the department flagged Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states, warning of persistent unrest, crime, and kidnapping risks.
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.
“Crime is widespread in Southern Nigeria. There is a high risk of kidnapping, violent protests, and armed gangs,” the department warned.
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.
It also cautioned that terrorist attacks remain a persistent threat nationwide, including in markets, shopping centres, hotels, places of worship, and other public gatherings.
Beyond security concerns, the State Department highlighted challenges within Nigeria’s healthcare system, describing medical services as limited and inconsistent, with facilities generally falling short of U.S. or European standards.
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 “proof of life” protocols.