KEY POINTS

• The US State Department authorized non-emergency Abuja embassy staff to depart on April 8, citing a deteriorating security situation
• The updated Nigeria travel advisory flags 23 states at Level 4: Do Not Travel, adding Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger and Taraba in the latest revision
• The advisory cites violent crime, terrorism, kidnapping and inadequate healthcare, urging Americans to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

The US State Department authorized non-emergency government employees and their families to depart the US Embassy in Abuja on April 8, citing a deteriorating security situation. The move accompanied an updated Nigeria travel advisory that classifies the country overall as Level 3: Reconsider Travel, with 23 states now at Level 4: Do Not Travel.

The department added Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger and Taraba to the do-not-travel list in the latest update. Additionally, the advisory cited crime, terrorism, kidnapping and civil unrest as the primary drivers of the elevated warning level.

Which states carry the highest risk designation

In northern Nigeria, the advisory urges US citizens to avoid Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe and northern Adamawa due to terrorism, crime and kidnapping. It also flags Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara for unrest, crime and kidnapping. In the south, the advisory lists Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo and Rivers, excluding Port Harcourt, over crime, kidnapping and unrest.

“The security situation in these states is unstable and uncertain due to civil unrest,” the advisory said. “Widespread violence between communities and armed crime, including kidnapping and roadside banditry. Security operations to counter these threats may occur without warning.”

Advisory cites crime, terrorism and inadequate healthcare

Beyond the 23 flagged states, the Nigeria travel advisory warns of violent crime nationwide, including armed robbery, carjacking and kidnapping for ransom, noting that criminals frequently target US citizens as high-value victims. Terrorist attacks remain a risk at markets, hotels, places of worship and public gatherings.

The advisory also describes Nigerian health facilities as limited and inconsistent, generally falling short of US or European standards. The State Department urged Americans traveling to Nigeria to enroll in its Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and to avoid demonstrations and large crowds.