By Seyi Gesinde
April 9, 2026
The United States government has authorised non‑emergency US government employees and their families to depart the US Embassy in Abuja due to a deteriorating security situation, even as the overall Travel Advisory level for Nigeria remains unchanged.
In its advisory issued on April 8, 2026, the US Department of State raised Nigeria to “Level three: reconsider travel”, highlighting threats including violent crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest.
Non‑emergency US government employees and family members were authorised to leave Abuja due to these growing risks.
Twenty‑three Nigerian states were designated “Level four: do not travel”, the highest advisory level, reflecting acute dangers in parts of the north, northwest, and some southern and southeastern states. These areas face a combination of terrorist threats, kidnapping gangs, violent crime, community violence, and armed banditry.
The advisory warned that Americans are often perceived as wealthy, increasing vulnerability to targeted crime. It also highlighted the risk of terrorist organisations working with local criminal elements to attack public places including markets, hotels, places of worship, and government buildings without warning.
Health services in Nigeria were also noted as inconsistent, with many facilities below the standards common in the US or Europe.
US citizens were urged to enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, exercise heightened caution, avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, and establish personal safety protocols. Travel to military or government facilities is discouraged unless absolutely essential.
The decision to ask embassy personnel to depart underscores rising concerns about the security environment for diplomatic missions and foreign nationals in Nigeria. It comes amid broader regional instability and follows earlier alerts over kidnapping and extremist violence.
At the time of reporting, the Nigerian federal government had not issued a detailed response, though diplomatic engagement is expected, and security officials maintain that ongoing efforts are underway to combat violent crime, banditry, and terrorism across the country.
