By Rafiyat Sadiq
The United States government has issued a new travel advisory warning its citizens against travelling to Nigeria due to rising insecurity, widespread crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and poor healthcare services.
The advisory, posted by the US Mission in Nigeria on its official website, categorised Nigeria under “Level 3: Reconsider Travel”, one level below the most severe “Level 4: Do Not Travel” classification. It also listed 18 states as particularly dangerous, urging Americans to avoid them completely.
The statement warned that all locations in Nigeria carry “significant security risks” and that travellers may be exposed to violent crimes such as armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping for ransom, assault, and roadside banditry. It noted that dual citizens and Americans perceived as wealthy are often the targets of kidnapping gangs.
READ ALSO: U.S. Restricts Nigerian Visas to Single Entry, 3-Month Validity
Original Statement from US Mission in Nigeria:
“Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed gangs, and inconsistent availability of health care services. Some places in Nigeria have an increased risk. Overall, all locations carry significant security risks.
Violent crime is common in the country. This includes armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking, roadside banditry, and rape.
Kidnappings for ransom happen often. They primarily target dual national citizens visiting Nigeria and U.S. citizens perceived as wealthy. Kidnapping gangs have also stopped victims on interstate roads.
There is a risk of terrorist violence in Nigeria. This includes terrorist attacks and other activities.
Terrorists continue plotting and carrying out attacks in Nigeria. Terrorists collaborate with local gangs to expand their reach. They may attack with little or no warning, including at shopping centres and malls, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants and bars, schools, government buildings, transportation hubs, and public places where crowds gather.
Gangs and crime: Civil unrest and armed gangs are active in parts of Southern Nigeria. This is especially true in the Niger Delta and Southeast regions. Armed crime and gangs are common in the area. Crimes include kidnapping and assaults on Nigerian security services.
Violence can flare up between communities of farmers and herders in rural areas.”
Healthcare Services Described as Poor
The advisory also highlighted serious concerns about Nigeria’s healthcare system, stating that Americans should not expect the same standard of medical care available in the United States.
“U.S. citizens should not expect the same level of health care to be available in Nigeria as they do in the United States. Nigerian medical facilities are generally not equipped to U.S. or European standards. Many medicines are not available. This includes common medications for diabetes or asthma.
Bring enough over-the-counter and prescription medicines to last your entire stay in Nigeria. Update vaccinations to include all standard vaccinations, plus yellow fever, meningitis, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and a polio booster.
All visitors should take malaria prophylaxis. Nigeria is at high risk for malaria. Counterfeit pharmaceuticals are a common problem. Hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Most hospitals and doctors do not accept U.S. health insurance.
Emergency services like those in the United States or Europe do not exist.
Blood supply is often unreliable. Ambulance services are unreliable, have poor equipment, and often do not have trained paramedics.
We strongly recommend getting traveller’s insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before travelling.”
18 States to Avoid
While the citizens may still travel to Nigeria, the US, however, designated 18 states as the most severe and advised its citizens to avoid those states completely.
- Due to terrorism and kidnapping: Borno, Yobe, Kogi, northern Adamawa
- Due to kidnapping: Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara
- Due to crime, kidnapping, and armed gangs: Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers (except Port Harcourt)
Other African Countries Also Flagged
Along with Nigeria, the United States flagged 11 other African nations as high-risk zones. These include Somalia, Libya, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Burundi, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, and Chad. The travel alerts are part of the US government’s global security review.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
