The United States Department of State has updated its travel advisory for Nigeria, warning American citizens to reconsider trips to the country due to rising insecurity, including terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime, and civil unrest.

The advisory, issued Wednesday, maintains Nigeria at Level 3 but adds Plateau, Kwara, Jigawa, Niger, and Taraba states to the “Do Not Travel” list. The U.S. also authorized the evacuation of non-emergency staff and family members from the American Embassy in Abuja, citing deteriorating security conditions.

High-risk areas for terrorism, crime, and kidnapping now include Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, and northern Adamawa. Additional states flagged for persistent unrest, armed banditry, and widespread kidnappings include Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara.

In southern Nigeria, travel to Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states—excluding Port Harcourt—is discouraged due to criminal gangs, separatist-linked violence, and frequent abductions.

The advisory notes that violent crimes such as armed robbery, assault, carjacking, rape, and hostage-taking are common nationwide. Kidnappings often target wealthy individuals, while armed gangs increasingly attack highways. Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks, sometimes with local criminal networks, targeting markets, shopping malls, schools, religious centres, government facilities, and transport hubs.

Civil unrest and communal violence, particularly farmer-herder clashes, are intensifying in rural areas, while the Niger Delta and Southeast face growing attacks by armed groups. The advisory also highlights Nigeria’s healthcare challenges, including limited access to essential medicines and unreliable emergency services, urging travellers to secure comprehensive medical and evacuation insurance.

American citizens who must travel are advised to exercise extreme caution, avoid large gatherings, vary travel routes, and maintain emergency communication plans, as U.S. authorities may be unable to provide assistance in high-risk zones.

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