The United States Department of State has authorised the departure of non-emergency government personnel and their families from its embassy in Abuja, citing a worsening security situation in Nigeria.
The decision was announced on Wednesday in an updated travel advisory, which also expanded the list of Nigerian states designated as “Do not travel” destinations due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.
States newly added to the high-risk category include Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba, following recent violent incidents in those areas.
The advisory comes in the wake of deadly attacks across parts of the country. On March 29, gunmen attacked the Gari Ya Waye area of Angwan Rukuba in Jos North, killing more than 20 people and injuring several others during the Christian observance of Palm Sunday.
Similar incidents were reported on Tuesday, when gunmen allegedly killed at least 20 people in communities in Niger State, with additional casualties reported in Kebbi.
The updated advisory also lists several other states already considered high-risk, including Borno, Kogi, Yobe, Adamawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, and parts of the South-East and South-South regions.
The move follows earlier warnings by the United Kingdom, which in November cautioned its citizens against non-essential travel to over 20 Nigerian states.
According to the 2026 Global Terrorism Index, Nigeria is currently ranked the fourth most unsafe country in the world, with a significant rise in violent incidents. The report noted a 43 per cent increase in fatalities in 2025 compared to the previous year.
Militant groups such as Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram were responsible for more than 80 per cent of terrorism-related deaths in the country during the period.
In response to the escalating insecurity, some religious leaders have called on the federal government to declare a state of emergency, warning that the situation poses a serious threat to national stability.
