The United States government has once again warned its citizens against travelling to Nigeria, citing poor healthcare services, rising cases of kidnapping, terrorism, and activities of armed gangs.
In the latest travel advisory released by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, the government asked Americans to reconsider visiting Nigeria, stressing that all locations in the country carry significant security risks.
This advisory, which is part of the U.S. government’s global security review, categorised countries into four risk levels — with “Level Four: Do Not Travel” being the highest warning, and “Level Three: Reconsider Travel” indicating a serious security threat.
Unfortunately, Nigeria was listed under the third level.
Apart from Nigeria, the advisory also included eleven other African countries like Somalia, Libya, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Burundi, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, and Chad.
The U.S. government went further to identify 18 Nigerian states as highly unsafe, advising its citizens to avoid them completely. These include:
Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and Northern Adamawa – due to terrorism and kidnapping
Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara – due to kidnapping
Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, Rivers (excluding Port Harcourt) – due to crime, armed gangs, and kidnapping
According to the statement posted on the U.S. Mission’s website, the advisory noted:
“Violent crime is common in Nigeria, including armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping for ransom, and roadside banditry. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning at public places like markets, hotels, schools, government buildings, and places of worship.”
The advisory also raised concerns about Nigeria’s healthcare system, stating that medical facilities are generally below international standards and that many essential drugs — even for diabetes or asthma — are not always available.
It added that American citizens should come with enough medication to last their entire stay and ensure all vaccinations are up to date, including yellow fever, meningitis, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A & B, and a polio booster.
