The United States Department of State has issued a travel advisory warning its citizens against visiting 23 states in Nigeria because of terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime, civil unrest, and poor access to healthcare in some areas.
Among the states newly highlighted are Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba.
According to the advisory, Americans are urged to reconsider travelling to Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, and Adamawa states over concerns relating to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.
The U.S. government also advised its citizens not to travel to Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states due to unrest, crime, and kidnapping.
In the South-East and Niger Delta regions, Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states, except Port Harcourt, were also listed because of crime, kidnapping, and civil unrest.
The Department of State further disclosed that on April 8, 2026, it approved the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members attached to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja following worsening security concerns.
In its statement, the Department noted that violent crimes such as armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking, roadside banditry, and rap are common across Nigeria.
It added that ransom-related kidnappings occur frequently and often target dual-national citizens returning to Nigeria.
“Americans are perceived as wealthy and are often targets of crime and kidnapping. Kidnapping gangs have stopped drivers on interstate roads in order to rob and kidnap victims. There is a risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Nigeria.
“Terrorists continue plotting and carrying out attacks in Nigeria. Terrorists collaborate with local gangs to expand their reach. They may attack with little or no warning, including shopping centres and malls, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants and bars, schools, government buildings, transportation hubs, and public places where crowds gather,” the Department of State warned.
The advisory also cautioned Americans about the activities of armed gangs and the risk of civil unrest in the Niger Delta and South-East regions.
