The United States has expanded its travel warning for Nigeria and authorised the departure of non-essential government staff and their families from its embassy in Abuja, citing deteriorating security conditions.
The U.S. State Department urged American citizens to reconsider travel to Nigeria, maintaining its Level 3 advisory but adding more regions to its “Do Not Travel” list.
The U.S. embassy in Abuja also announced it had suspended visa appointments, though emergency services for American citizens remain available by appointment. Officials did not specify the reason for the suspension or how long it would last.
Security concerns in Nigeria have intensified due to ongoing kidnappings, bandit attacks and assaults on security forces, particularly in the north. In its latest update, Washington added Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger and Taraba states to areas Americans are advised to avoid, bringing the total number of restricted states to 23 out of 36.
The advisory cited multiple threats, including Islamist insurgency in the northeast, criminal gangs operating in the northwest and persistent violence in parts of southern and southeastern regions, including oil-producing areas.
Nigeria’s government pushed back against the move. In a statement, the information ministry said the warning reflected U.S. internal procedures rather than the broader security situation.
“While we acknowledge isolated security challenges in some areas, there is no general breakdown of law and order, and the vast majority of the country remains stable,” the ministry said.
Last month, Washington warned of a potential terrorist threat targeting U.S. facilities and affiliated schools in Nigeria.
The United States has maintained elevated travel warnings for Nigeria for much of the past decade, citing persistent insecurity. It also operates surveillance and support missions in the country, including MQ-9 drones and around 200 military personnel providing training and intelligence assistance to Nigerian forces battling Islamist militants.