The United States Department of State has authorised the departure of non-emergency government employees and their family members from its embassy in Abuja, citing worsening security conditions in Nigeria.
The directive, issued on Wednesday through an updated travel advisory, follows a surge in violent attacks across several parts of the country.
As part of the update, Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba states were added to the US “Do Not Travel” list due to heightened risks of terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.
This decision comes in the wake of recent deadly incidents. On March 29, gunmen attacked the Gari Ya Waye area of Angwan Rukuba in Jos North, killing over 20 residents and injuring many others during the Christian celebration of Palm Sunday. Similar attacks were reported in Niger and Kebbi states, where dozens of people were also killed.
The advisory now includes several high-risk states such as Borno, Kogi, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers, among others.
The move aligns with previous warnings from the United Kingdom, which last November cautioned its citizens against non-essential travel to multiple states in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s security challenges are further highlighted in the 2026 Global Terrorism Index (GTI), where the country ranks as the fourth most affected by terrorism globally. The report notes a 43 percent increase in terrorism-related fatalities compared to 2024, with groups such as ISWAP and Boko Haram responsible for the majority of deaths.
In response to the growing insecurity, some religious leaders have called on the federal government to declare a state of emergency to address the crisis.