Dare Babalola
The United States has authorised the departure of non-emergency personnel and their family members from its embassy in Abuja following a worsening security situation in Nigeria.
According to an updated travel advisory issued by the US State Department on Wednesday, the decision comes amid rising concerns over terrorism, crime, and kidnapping across parts of the country.
As part of the review, Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba states were newly added to the “Do Not Travel” list, while several others already under restriction remain.
The move follows a series of deadly attacks in recent weeks. On March 29, gunmen stormed the Gari Ya Waye area of Angwan Rukuba in Jos North, killing more than 20 residents and leaving several others injured during the Christian observance of Palm Sunday.
Days later, fresh attacks were reported in Niger and Kebbi states, where at least 20 people were killed in multiple communities.
The list of states flagged as high-risk includes Borno, Kogi, Yobe, Adamawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, as well as several states in the south such as Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers.
This latest advisory aligns with similar warnings issued by other countries. In November, the United Kingdom cautioned its citizens against non-essential travel to 21 Nigerian states, including Niger, Plateau, and Kebbi.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s security challenges have also been reflected globally. In the 2026 Global Terrorism Index, the country was ranked the fourth most unsafe in the world, recording the largest increase in terrorism-related fatalities, with deaths rising by 43 percent compared to 2024.
The report attributed more than 80 percent of these deaths to activities by ISWAP and Boko Haram.
In response to the growing insecurity, some religious leaders have called on the federal government to declare a state of emergency, urging more decisive action to curb the violence.
