U.S. Begins Withdrawal of Non-Essential Staff From Nigeria Over Security Concerns

The United States Government has started withdrawing non-essential personnel and their families from Nigeria, citing a deteriorating security situation in parts of the country.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the U.S. Department of State said it had authorised the departure of non-emergency staff from its embassy in Abuja as a precautionary step.

According to the statement, “On April 8, 2026, the Department of State authorised non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members to leave U.S. Embassy Abuja due to the worsening security situation.”

The move follows growing concerns over crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping, which U.S. authorities say continue to pose significant risks across several regions.

The department maintained Nigeria’s Travel Advisory at Level 3, urging American citizens to reconsider travelling to the country.

“Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and inconsistent availability of health care services. Some areas have increased risk,” the advisory noted.

It also identified high-risk areas, including much of northern Nigeria and several states in the South and Southeast, such as Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and parts of Rivers, where incidents of violence and abductions have been reported.