Amid rising insecurity concerns, the United States has commenced the evacuation of non-essential staff and dependents from its embassy in Abuja.
In a statement released on Wednesday via the U.S. Department of State, Washington confirmed that non-emergency personnel and their families have been authorised to leave the country due to what it described as a worsening security situation.
According to the advisory, “Nigeria: On April 8, 2026, the Department of State authorised non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members to depart the U.S. Embassy in Abuja because of the deteriorating security situation”.
The State Department maintained that Nigeria remains under a Level 3 Travel Advisory, urging citizens to “reconsider travel” due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and inconsistent healthcare access in some regions.
It further warned that several parts of the country, particularly most northern states and states such as Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and sections of Rivers State, carry higher risks linked to terrorism and kidnapping.
The advisory also urged Americans already in Nigeria to exercise increased caution, avoid high-risk areas, and review the full travel guidance before making movement decisions.
Meanwhile, Nigeria was ranked fourth in the Global Terrorism Index released on March 19, 2026, by the Institute for Economics & Peace, which reported a 46 percent rise in terrorism-related deaths in 2025 under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
