The United States of America on Wednesday, April 8, directed the immediate evacuation of personnel from its embassy and affiliated establishments in Nigeria.
In a travel advisory released by the United States Department of State, American citizens were urged to reconsider any plans to visit Nigeria, citing concerns over crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, terrorism, and the inconsistent availability of healthcare services.
The advisory further cautioned against travel to several states, including Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, Taraba, Borno, Kogi, Yobe, and Adamawa, describing them as areas with heightened risks of crime, terrorism, and abduction.
It also identified Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara as locations experiencing significant levels of unrest, crime, and kidnapping.
Additionally, Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states—excluding Port Harcourt—were listed as areas to avoid due to similar security concerns.
The advisory said, “On April 8, 2026, the Department of State authorised 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.
“Violent crime is common throughout Nigeria. This includes armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking, roadside banditry, and rape.
“Kidnappings for ransom happen often. They primarily target dual national citizens visiting Nigeria. Americans are perceived as wealthy and are often targets of crime and kidnapping.
“Kidnapping gangs have stopped drivers on interstate roads in order to rob and kidnap victims,” the US Department of State said.
The department also warned that terrorist groups are working with local criminal gangs to plan and execute attacks without prior notice, particularly in soft-target locations such as shopping centres, markets, hotels, places of worship, schools, and government facilities.
It added that Americans should not expect healthcare services in Nigeria to match standards obtainable in the United States or Europe, noting that many medical facilities in the country lack adequate equipment and capacity.
