US Orders Staff To Leave Nigeria Embassy, Classifies 23 States As ‘Do Not Travel’

The United States Department of State has authorised non-emergency US government employees and their family members to leave the US Embassy in Abuja, citing a worsening security situation across Nigeria.

In an updated travel advisory issued on Wednesday, the department noted that from Wednesday, April 8, 2026, Americans are advised to reconsider travel to the country 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 were placed 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 States of the Federation to 23 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 US citizens were urged to avoid Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, and northern Adamawa, due to terrorism, 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.

Tthe advisory also listed Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States, citing unrest, crime, and kidnapping.

In South-South and South-East parts of Nigeria, the State Department urged citizens to avoid Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers States (excluding Port Harcourt city) 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, were widespread and US citizens were perceived as wealthy and were frequent targets.

It said terrorist attacks remained 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 US or European standards.

The State Department, however, urged US 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.