U.S Orders Staff to Leave Embassy in Abuja, Flags 23 Nigerian States as ‘Do Not Travel’ Zones
The United States Department of State has directed non-essential staff and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy Abuja over worsening security concerns across Nigeria.
In a travel advisory released on Wednesday, the department urged Americans to reconsider travel to Nigeria starting April 8, 2026, citing rising crime, terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, and limited healthcare services.
The advisory places Nigeria at “Level 3: Reconsider Travel,” while 23 states have now been classified under the stricter “Level 4: Do Not Travel” category.
Do not travel to:
Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Niger, Plateu, Taraba, Yobe, Northern Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara states due to: terrorism, crime, and kidnapping
Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, Rivers (with the exception of Port Harcout) states due to: crime, unrest/agitation and kidnapping.
