US Orders Non-emergency Staff to Leave Nigeria Embassy after Kebbi, Niger, Jos Attacks

The US state department has authorised non-emergency government employees and government employee family members to leave its embassy in Abuja due to the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria.

The authorisation was granted Wednesday, an updated travel advisory said.

Though most of the overall risk indicators remained, Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba states were added to the ‘Do not travel’ list “due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping”.

The changes were made after recent attacks in some of the states.

On March 29, gunmen invaded the Gari Ya Waye area of Angwan Rukuba, Jos North, killing more than 20 residents and injuring several others. The attack coincided with the Christian celebration of Palm Sunday.

On Tuesday, gunmen reportedly killed at least 20 people in several communities in Niger state and scores in Kebbi.

Other states on the ‘Do not travel’ list include Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers.

Last November, the United Kingdom warned citizens against non-essential travel to 21 states in Nigeria including Niger, Plateau, and Kebbi.

NIGERIA DIPS IN GLOBAL TERRORISM INDEX

In the 2026 global terrorism index (GTI) report, Nigeria was ranked the fourth most unsafe country in the world.

According to the index, Nigeria recorded the largest increase in fatalities last year as attacks increased by 43 percent compared to 2024.

The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram were responsible for 82.8 percent of all terrorism deaths in the country in 2025.

Pakistan topped the index, followed by Burkina Faso in second position and Niger Republic, which is third in the ranking.

Following recent attacks in the country, some religious leaders have asked the federal government to declare a state of emergency on insecurity.