By our reporter 9.4.2026
The United States government has warned its citizens to reconsider their travel plans to Nigeria following elevated security risk in the country.
It has also ordered non-essential staff and their families to leave its mission in Abuja. The US State Department issued the warning Wednesday in a travel advisory. It emphasised the risks posed by crime, terrorism, and civil unrest across multiple regions of the country.
While urging Americans to exercise caution, it maintained Nigeria’s Level 3 travel advisory status, additionally classifying several states under the stricter Level 4 advisory, indicating areas where travel should be avoided entirely.
“Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and inconsistent availability of health care services. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory,” the statement read in part.
“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 Department listed several high-risk states across northern, central, and southern Nigeria, citing threats such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and violent crime, reinforcing its warning to avoid travel to designated areas.
“Terrorist groups such as Boko Haram continue to plan and execute attacks, sometimes collaborating with criminal gangs.
“Potential targets include public spaces like markets, shopping centres, schools, places of worship, government buildings, and transport hubs.
“Civil unrest persists in parts of southern Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta and Southeast, driven by armed groups and protests.”
The Department further warned that the U.S. government may have limited capacity to assist citizens in certain high-risk areas, urging Americans to avoid such locations entirely.