The United States of America has announced an expansion of its travel warning to the Republic of Nigeria, in an unprecedented move reflecting Washington's growing concerns about the deteriorating security situation in the African country. This warning comes in the context of a series of rapidly evolving security developments at both the local and international levels.

According to an official statement issued by the US State Department, Washington urged its citizens to reconsider travel to Nigeria, citing the increased risks of terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, and civil violence in large parts of the country.

The warning was based on a recent security assessment that included rates of organized crime, armed conflicts, and attacks by extremist groups.

US security warning flight

In its latest travel advisory, the U.S. State Department kept Nigeria at “Level 3: Reconsider Travel,” a level that reflects serious risks that may require citizens to reassess their plans. However, the increase in the number of states designated as “No Travel” or “Level 4: Do Not Travel” is a strong message about Washington’s growing security concerns.

According to the guidelines, several states have been added to the blacklist, including Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, and Niger, bringing the total to 23 out of 36 states classified as areas where Americans are advised not to travel at all.

This new risk map indicates the spread of armed threats from extremist groups in the northeast, the spread of armed criminal gangs in the northwest, as well as rising rates of violence in the south and southeast of the country.

Visa services suspended in the capital, Abuja

In a notable development within the same warning, the US Embassy in Abuja announced the temporary suspension of visa service appointments, and informed applicants to follow up on their new appointments without specifying the expected duration of the office closure.

This announcement was posted via the embassy’s official X account (formerly Twitter), with the assurance that consular services for U.S. citizens in emergencies remain available upon request and as needed.

The suspension of visa appointments in Abuja is seen not only as a technical administrative measure, but also as a further indication of the deteriorating security situation in the capital itself.

This comes after the US government directed its non-essential staff and their families to leave the country, a move that clearly indicates Washington's acceptance of direct threats to the US diplomatic mission there.

Nigerian reactions and political dimensions

For its part, the Nigerian authorities rejected portraying the security situation as a complete breakdown of law and order in the country. The Nigerian Ministry of Information indicated in an official statement that the American warning is based on internal protocols followed by Washington, and does not necessarily reflect the true security situation in all regions of Nigeria. It added that the greater part of the country remains relatively stable despite the scattered challenges.

However, observers believe that US travel warnings often directly affect the perception of investors and international organizations regarding the risks of markets and investment environments, which could lead to a decline in foreign investment and restrict the movement of global airlines if the warning continues without tangible security improvements.

In a broader security context

This is not the first warning of its kind in the region. While Nigeria is battling a series of conflicts with militant groups in the northeast, the country is also experiencing an increase in kidnappings for ransom and violence between civilian groups.

This deterioration in the security situation has led to a widespread classification of states under the highest levels of alert, an indication of the continued instability that is straining Nigerian security forces.