By Joe Udo
ABUJA (CONVERSEER) – On April 8, 2026, the United States Department of State placed Nigeria on level 3 travel advisory, authorising the voluntary departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members from U.S. Embassy Abuja due to the deteriorating security situation.
According to the information published on its official website, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja will remain open but will have limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Nigeria. The Embassy, in consultation with the State Department, will reassess this status regularly. The U.S. Consulate General in Lagos will continue to provide routine and emergency services to U.S. citizens in Nigeria.
The Department of State Travel Advisory for Nigeria remains at Level 3, recommending travelers reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed gangs, and inconsistent availability of health care services.
The U.S. Embassy listed the following 23 Nigerian states that citizens should avoid and their reasons:
Terrorism and Kidnapping:
Kogi, Yobe, Niger, Borno, Kwara, Taraba, Jigawa, Plateau, Adamawa
High Unrest and Crime:
Kano, Bauchi, Sokoto, Gombe, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara
Others:
Imo, Abia, Delta, Rivers, Enugu, Bayelsa, Anambra
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.
Do Not Travel to:
- Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, northern Adamawa states due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping
- Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states due to unrest, crime, and kidnapping
- Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt) due to crime, kidnapping, and unrest.
Advisory summary:
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.
Crime and Kidnapping
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.
Terrorism
There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Nigeria.
Terrorists continue plotting and carrying out attacks in Nigeria. Terrorists collaborate with local gangs to expand their reach. They may attack with little or no warning, including:
- Shopping centers and malls
- Markets
- Hotels
- Places of worship
- Restaurants and bars
- Schools
- Government buildings
- Transportation hubs
- Public places where crowds gather
Unrest
Civil unrest and armed gangs are active in parts of Southern Nigeria. This is especially true in the Niger Delta and Southeast regions. Armed crime and gangs are common in the area. Crimes include kidnapping and assaults on Nigerian security services.
Violence can occur between communities of farmers and herders in rural areas.
Unreliable health care
Americans should not expect the same level of health care to be available in Nigeria as they do in the United States:
- Nigerian medical facilities are generally not equipped to U.S. or European standards.
- Many medicines are not available. This includes common medications for diabetes or asthma.
- Bring enough over the counter and prescription medicines to last your entire stay in Nigeria.
- Make sure all your vaccinations are up to date. Consider getting boosters for yellow fever, meningitis, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and polio.
- All visitors should take Malaria prophylaxis. Nigeria is high risk for Malaria.
- Counterfeit pharmaceuticals are a common problem.
- Hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.
- Most hospitals and doctors do not accept U.S. health insurance.
- Emergency services like those in the United States or Europe do not exist.
- Blood supply is often unreliable.
- Ambulance services are unreliable, have poor equipment, and often do not have trained paramedics.
- We strongly recommend getting traveler’s insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before traveling.
- The Department of State does not pay medical bills for Americans overseas.
- The U.S. government cannot offer emergency services to Americans in many areas of Nigeria due to the safety risks.
Risks in specific areas -Level 4 – Do Not Travel
Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and Northern Adamawa states
Do not travel to Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, and northern Adamawa states due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.
- Do not travel to these areas for any reason.
- The security situation in these states is unstable and uncertain. This is because of widespread terrorist activity, violence between communities, and kidnapping.
- Security operations to counter these threats may occur without warning.
Terrorist groups in the Northeast often target:
- Humanitarian camps
- Security forces
- Churches and mosques
- Schools
- Government buildings
- Entertainment venues
- Road travelers
Violence in Northeast Nigeria has forced about 2 million Nigerians to leave their homes.
Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states
Do not travel to Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states due to unrest, crime, and kidnapping.
- Do not travel to these areas for any reason.
- The security situation in these states is unstable and uncertain due to civil unrest.
- Widespread violence between communities and armed crime, including kidnapping and roadside banditry.
- Security operations to counter these threats may occur without warning.
Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt)
Do not travel to Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt) due to crime, kidnapping, and unrest.
- Do not travel to these areas for any reason.
- Crime is widespread in Southern Nigeria.
- There is a high risk of kidnapping, violent protests, and armed gangs.
If you decide to travel to Nigeria:
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
- Review the Country Security Report for Nigeria.
- Carry proper identification, including a U.S. passport with a current Nigerian visa, if needed.
- Use caution when walking or driving.
- Keep a low profile.
- Review travel routes and times. Vary your predictability.
- Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
- Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
- Check local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Stay alert in locations frequented by foreign tourists.
- Avoid demonstrations and large political gatherings.
- Review your personal security plans.
- Have evacuation plans that do not depend on U.S. government help.
- Establish a “proof of life” protocol with your loved ones, so that if you are taken hostage, your loved ones know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to be sure that you are alive. This helps to rule out scams.
- Prepare a backup plan for emergency situations.
- Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Nigeria.
- Get comprehensive medical insurance that includes medical evacuation.
- We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.
- Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist.
Actions to Take:
- Have a personal emergency action plan that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
- U.S. citizens in Abuja should consider departing if you do not need to remain for emergency or essential purposes.
- Take advantage of commercial transportation options, if you wish to depart Nigeria.
- Ensure your U.S. passport is valid and accessible in case of emergency departure.
- Keep family and friends informed of your travel plans and whereabouts.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.
- Monitor local media for breaking news on the security situation.
- Avoid crowds and demonstrations.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Keep a low profile.
- Review your personal security plans and keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency.
- Vary travel routes and times, especially when going to and from the airport.
For additional information about threats and risks to travelers in Nigeria, please visit the Nigeria Destination Information page on travel.state.gov.
Please monitor our website https://ng.usembassy.gov/ for updates.
For Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Abuja, Nigeria
Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area
+234 209 461 4328 and after hours +234 209 461 4000, press zero
AbujaACS@state.gov
https://ng.usembassy.gov/
U.S. Consulate General Lagos
2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island
+234 201 460 3400 during business hours and after hours
LagosACS@state.gov
https://ng.usembassy.gov/
U.S. State Department – Consular Affairs
+1 888-407-4747 or +1 202-501-4444
