US warns citizens against travel to Nigeria, orders non-emergency staff to evacuate embassy in Abuja
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The U.S. State Department has raised Nigeria’s travel advisory to Level 3, ordering the evacuation of non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members from the U.S. Embassy in Abuja.
A Level 3 Travel Advisory is the second-highest warning level issued by the U.S. Department of State. It advises travelers to reconsider or avoid going to a country because of high risks such as crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping or health crises.
In an updated travel advisory issued on Wednesday, the department noted that, effective April 8, 2026, Americans should reconsider travel to Nigeria.
The State Department also raised the advisory to Level 4 — “DO NOT TRAVEL” — for Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger and Taraba states.
“On April 8, 2026, the Department of State authorized non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in 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.
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 state (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. 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.
