The US Embassy in Abuja has cancelled all visa appointments, directing applicants to check emails for rescheduled dates. Visa operations will continue at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, the Embassy said on Thursday.

The move comes after the US Department of State authorised non-emergency US government employees and their families to leave Abuja, citing a worsening security situation in the country.

In a travel advisory, the Department urged Americans to reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest. Certain states, including Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, and northern Adamawa, were placed under “Level 4: Do Not Travel.” Others face “Level 3: Reconsider Travel.”

“On April 8, 2026, the Department of State authorised non-emergency US government employees and their families to leave U.S. Embassy Abuja due to the deteriorating security situation,” the advisory read.

The Embassy said American citizen services remain available by appointment or in emergencies.

This development underscores growing security concerns in Nigeria, especially in northern and central states, which have faced increasing incidents of terrorism, kidnapping, and violent unrest in recent months.

By Benue Info-pedia