The United States has ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel from its Abuja embassy and warned American citizens to avoid 23 Nigerian states due to rising insecurity, kidnapping, and terror threats.
Here is the full list of states and why the US says you should not travel there.
CATEGORY 1: TERRORISM & KIDNAPPING (10 States)
These states face serious threats from terrorist groups, widespread kidnapping, and banditry.
- Borno – Epicentre of Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency, with frequent attacks on military and civilians.
- Yobe – Terrorism, suicide bombings, and kidnappings.
- Adamawa – Terrorist infiltration, abductions, and communal violence.
- Plateau – Ethnic and religious clashes, banditry, and mass abductions.
- Niger – Banditry, kidnappings, and terrorist camps in forests.
- Kogi – Highway kidnappings and armed robbery.
- Taraba – Communal violence, abductions, and bandit attacks.
- Jigawa – Kidnapping for ransom and banditry near borders.
- Kwara – Rising cases of abductions and highway robberies.
- Kebbi – Banditry, kidnappings, and farmer-herder clashes.
CATEGORY 2: HIGH UNREST & CRIME (7 States)
These states experience high levels of violent crime, civil unrest, and abductions. Foreigners are often targeted because they are perceived as wealthy.
- Kano – Religious and political tensions, kidnappings, and civil unrest.
- Bauchi – Banditry, abductions, and communal clashes.
- Sokoto – Kidnapping, banditry, and terrorist infiltration.
- Gombe – Unrest, crime, and cross-border banditry.
- Katsina – Banditry, kidnappings, and highway attacks.
- Kaduna – Widespread abductions, banditry, and terrorism.
- Zamfara – Epicentre of banditry, mass kidnappings, and gold mining-related violence.
CATEGORY 3: SOUTH-EAST & SOUTH-SOUTH (7 States)
These states are flagged for crime, kidnapping, and general instability. The US advises avoiding all except essential travel to Port Harcourt.
- Imo – Sit-at-home orders, attacks on security forces, and kidnappings.
- Abia – Violent crime, abductions, and separatist-related violence.
- Delta – Oil-related violence, kidnapping, and armed robbery.
- Rivers (except Port Harcourt) – Kidnapping, militancy, and crime.
- Enugu – Abductions, violent crime, and highway robberies.
- Bayelsa – Militancy, kidnappings, and oil theft-related violence.
- Anambra – Kidnapping, armed robbery, and separatist tensions.
