The United States government has begun withdrawing some of its personnel and their families from Nigeria, citing worsening security conditions across the country.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 8, via social media, the U.S. Department of State confirmed that non-essential staff at its embassy in Abuja, along with their family members, have been authorised to leave.
“Nigeria: On April 8, 2026, the Department of State authorised 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.
“The overall Travel Advisory for Nigeria is Level 3: Reconsider Travel,” the travel advisory said.
The advisory places Nigeria at Level 3, urging American citizens to carefully reconsider any travel plans to the country.
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“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,” the state department warned.
Despite this, the U.S. government advised that any citizens who still choose to travel to Nigeria should avoid most northern states, as well as Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and parts of Rivers State, due to heightened risks linked to terrorism and kidnapping.
The development comes as Nigeria continues to face security challenges, reflected in its position as fourth on the Global Terrorism Index released on March 19, 2026, by the Institute for Economics & Peace.
The report also noted a 46 per cent rise in terrorism-related deaths in 2025 during President Bola Tinubu’s administration.