U.S. expands Nigeria advisory
The U.S. State Department has expanded its travel advisory for Nigeria and authorized the departure of non‑emergency embassy staff and family from Abuja and Lagos as security worsens. ( )
The United States updated its Nigeria travel advisory on April 8 and authorized non-emergency staff and family members to leave its embassy in Abuja. (travel.state.gov) The State Department kept Nigeria at Level 3, “Reconsider Travel,” but said the advisory summary changed because of embassy operations. It added Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger and Taraba to the list of states under “Do Not Travel.” (travel.state.gov) The embassy said the April 8 move was a voluntary departure from Abuja, not a full closure. U.S. Embassy Abuja remains open with limited emergency help, while the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos continues routine and emergency services. (ng.usembassy.gov) The advisory says violent crime is common across Nigeria, including armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking and roadside banditry. It says kidnappings for ransom often target dual nationals visiting Nigeria and that Americans are often seen as wealthy targets. (travel.state.gov) The same notice says terrorist groups continue plotting and carrying out attacks in Nigeria, sometimes with little or no warning. It lists malls, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants, schools, government buildings and transportation hubs as possible targets. (travel.state.gov) Southern Nigeria also appears in the warning. The State Department says civil unrest and armed gangs are active in parts of the Niger Delta and the southeast, and it keeps Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo and Rivers states, except Port Harcourt, under “Do Not Travel.” (travel.state.gov) The advisory also flags health care. It says medical facilities in Nigeria often do not meet United States or European standards and that common medicines, including some for diabetes and asthma, may be unavailable. (travel.state.gov) A travel advisory is the State Department’s risk notice for U.S. citizens, and the department says it updates those notices whenever conditions change substantially. That includes changes in U.S. government staffing or restrictions tied to security concerns. (travel.state.gov) For Americans still planning trips, the embassy told travelers to have a personal emergency action plan that does not rely on U.S. government assistance. The State Department also directs travelers to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for alerts from the nearest embassy or consulate. (ng.usembassy.gov, travel.state.gov)
