Travel Alert: America Flags 18 Nigerian States As Unsafe For Citizens

The United States government has reissued a stringent travel advisory, urging its citizens to reconsider travel to Nigeria due to escalating security threats, including terrorism, kidnapping, violent crimes, and inadequate healthcare systems.

According to iReporter Online, the advisory, released by the U.S. Department of State, places Nigeria under a Level 3 warning — “Reconsider Travel” — highlighting 18 states as particularly hazardous and advising Americans to avoid them entirely.

According to iReporter Online, the advisory further warns that Nigeria is among 12 African countries flagged as high-risk, alongside Somalia, Libya, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, and others.

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria emphasized that threats range from armed banditry and insurgency to unreliable emergency medical responses, urging citizens to maintain heightened vigilance throughout the country.

The advisory listed specific states Americans should steer clear of due to various risks:

Terrorism and kidnapping: Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa.

Kidnapping: Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara.

Armed gangs and violent crime: Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers (excluding Port Harcourt).

According to iReporter Online, the advisory paints a grim picture of crime trends, with armed robberies, abductions, and assaults reportedly common — especially targeting U.S. citizens or dual nationals perceived to be wealthy.

Attacks have been recorded at hotels, markets, roadsides, and even places of worship.

“Terrorist groups continue to plan and execute attacks across Nigeria,” the document stated, listing public venues such as malls, schools, and government buildings as potential targets.

Beyond security concerns, the U.S. advisory warns of serious healthcare deficiencies, it cautions that emergency services are limited, medical supplies scarce, and critical medications often counterfeit or unavailable.

The prevalence of diseases like malaria and the risk of treatment failures further compound the danger.

The U.S. government strongly advises travelers to bring sufficient medication, secure travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage, and ensure vaccinations are up to date — particularly for yellow fever, typhoid, polio, hepatitis A and B, and cholera.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”