The United States has ordered its embassy employees and their families to leave Abuja over security concerns.
According to local media reports the United States also ordered non-emergency embassy personnel and their families to leave its mission in Abuja, citing a deteriorating security environment.
The US has in its travel advisory published on its official website on Wednesday by the U.S. Department of State stated that it took the decision on April 8, 2026, following an assessment of the security situation in Nigeria.
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, and 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.
The advisory highlighted that violent crime remains widespread in Nigeria, including armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping and hostage-taking. It noted that kidnapping for ransom is frequent and often targets foreigners and dual nationals.
“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 advisory also flagged healthcare challenges, including limited access to medicines, unreliable emergency services, and upfront payment requirements.
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.
Meanwhile, reacting to the US travel advisory, the Nigerian Government has reassured Nigerians and the international community of the country’s stability.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated that public institutions across the country remain fully operational, with no disruption to governance, economic activities, or daily life.
In the statement issued on Thursday by the minister’s media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, the minister, described the US advisory as a routine precaution based on internal protocols, stressing that it does not reflect the overall security situation in Nigeria.
“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,” Idris said.
He noted that ongoing security operations have recorded measurable gains across several regions, attributing the progress to coordinated military efforts, intelligence-led interventions, and strengthened inter-agency collaboration.
“Our security agencies remain actively engaged in protecting lives and property, and the results of these efforts are increasingly evident,” he added.
The minister reiterated government’s commitment to sustaining security improvements and ensuring the safety of citizens and visitors, assuring that Nigeria remains a safe and welcoming destination.
GIK/APA