US State Dept Allows Staff Exit from Nigeria Embassy

The United States Department of State has authorized nonemergency U.S. government employees and their family members to depart from the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria, effective April 8, 2026, amid a deteriorating security situation across the country. The move, announced in an updated travel advisory, maintains Nigeria at Level 3, Reconsider Travel, while designating 23 states as Level 4, Do Not Travel, including five newly added regions: Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba.

The advisory highlights widespread violent crime, including armed robbery, carjacking, assault, and kidnapping for ransom, as primary threats. Foreign nationals and dual U.S.-Nigerian citizens are frequent targets, often perceived as wealthy, particularly during road travel. Officials noted that kidnappings occur regularly, with perpetrators sometimes collaborating with terrorist groups like Boko Haram, which remain active in the north. Potential attack sites include markets, hotels, transportation hubs, places of worship, schools, and government buildings, where strikes could happen with little warning.

In northern states such as Borno, Yobe, and parts of Adamawa, terrorism, banditry, and abductions...