The United States government has commenced the evacuation of its staff and family members from Nigeria over the current deterioration of security across the country. 

In a statement posted on social media by the U.S. Department of State on Wednesday, Washington stated it has ordered non-emergency workers alongside their families in its embassy in Abuja to start pulling out. 

“Nigeria: On April 8, 2026, the Department of State authorised non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to leave U.S. Embassy Abuja due to the deteriorating security situation. 

“The overall Travel Advisory for Nigeria is Level 3: Reconsider Travel,” the travel advisory said. 

The United States’ risk indicators are currently at Level 3, specifically warning Americans to reconsider travelling to Nigeria.

“Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and inconsistent availability of health care services. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory,” the state department warned. 

However, should U.S. citizens decide to still travel to Nigeria, the government cautioned them against visiting the majority of northern states as well as Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and some parts of Rivers due to high risk of terrorism and kidnapping.

Nigeria ranked fourth in the global terrorism index released on March 19, 2026, by the Institute for Economics & Peace, recording a 46 per cent increase in deaths from terrorism in 2025 under President Bola Tinubu.