The US state department has directed non-emergency government employees and government employee family members to leave its embassy in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja because of the worsening security situation in Nigeria.
The authorisation was granted Wednesday, according to an updated travel advisory said.
Though most of the overall risk indicators remained, Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba states were added to the ‘Do not travel’ list “due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping”.
The additions were effected after recent attacks in some of the states.
On March 29, armed men stormed the Gari Ya Waye area of Angwan Rukuba, Jos North, killing more than 20 residents and injuring several others. The attack coincided with the Christian celebration of Palm Sunday.
On Tuesday, gunmen reportedly murdered no fewer than 20 people in several communities in Niger state and scores in Kebbi.
Other states on the ‘Do not travel’ list released by the US State Department comprise Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers.
Recall that last November, the United Kingdom warned citizens against non-essential travel to 21 states in Nigeria including Niger, Plateau, and Kebbi.
In the 2026 global terrorism index (GTI) report, Nigeria was ranked the fourth most unsafe nation in the world.
Based on the index, Nigeria witnessed the largest increase in fatalities in 2025 as attacks rose by 43 percent, when compared to 2024.
