US embassy lists 23 Nigerian states as high-risk

The United States (US) embassy in Nigeria has listed 23 states in the country as high-risk states which its non-emergency government employees and their families should avoid, citing a decline in Nigeria’s security situation.

The list of high-risk areas includes Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba being the latest additions to the “Do Not Travel” category.

American citizens were urged in a travel advisory which was updated on April 8, 2026, to reconsider visiting the country due to prevalent crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest.

The department has classified the general advisory for Nigeria as Level 3: Reconsider Travel, though specific regions have been escalated to Level 4: Do Not Travel.

The advisory provided specific details regarding the staff withdrawal and the primary risks involved:
“On April 8, 2026, the Department of State authorised non-emergency US government employees and UA government employee family members to leave US embassy in Abuja due to the deteriorating security situation,” the advisory stated.

The document further clarified the risks to civilians:
“Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and inconsistent availability of health care services. Some areas have increased risk,” it added.
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The Department urged US citizens to avoid Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, and northern Adamawa states.

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“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,” the advisory noted.

Due to ongoing unrest and kidnapping, the advisory listed Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara as areas to avoid.

The advisory also flagged Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (excluding Port Harcourt).
“Crime is widespread in Southern Nigeria. There is a high risk of kidnapping, violent protests, and armed gangs,” the department cautioned.

The advisory highlighted that violent crimes, such as armed robbery, carjacking, and kidnapping for ransom are common. It noted that US citizens are often targeted as they are perceived to be wealthy.

The threat of terrorism remains high at public gatherings, including markets, shopping centres, hotels, and places of worship. The State Department also warned that Nigerian medical facilities generally do not meet American or European standards and are often inconsistent.

The State Department advised US citizens who still intend to travel to Nigeria to enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for urgent updates.

Exercise extreme caution and avoid large gatherings or demonstrations and establish personal safety and “proof of life” protocols.

Ngozi Ekugo

Ngozi Ekugo is a Senior Correspondent at BusinessDay. She holds a Masters in management from the University of Lagos, an undergraduate from University of Lagos, and is in an alumni of Queen's College. Shes currently an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM). She has a brief experience at Goldman sachs, London in its Human Capital Management division. She is interested in human capital development and is leveraging her varied experience across sectors to report labour and global mobility trends for stakeholders to make informed decisions.