US begins evacuation of staff, lists 23 states under ‘Do Not Travel’ category
The United States of America on Wednesday, April 8, ordered the immediate evacuation of staff across its embassy and other establishments in Nigeria.
In a travel advisory issued by the Department of State, the US urged its citizens to reconsider plans of travelling to Nigeria due to crime, unrest, kidnapping, terrorism and inconsistent availability of healthcare services.
The US also advised its citizens against travelling to states like Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, Taraba, Borno, Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Yobe and Adamawa states.
According to the advisory, the above-listed states are riddled with a high level of crime, terrorism and kidnapping.
It also listed Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states as being a haven for unrest, crime, and kidnapping while Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt) are to be avoided due to crime, kidnapping, and unrest.
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.
In addition, it noted that terrorists are collaborating with local gangs to plot and carry out attacks in Nigeria without warning in soft target places like shops, malls, markets, hotels, places of worship, schools, government facilities among others.
It further warned that Americans should not expect the same level of health care to be available in Nigeria as they do in the United States because Nigerian medical facilities are generally not equipped to U.S. or European standards.
