US, UK, Israel issue travel warnings, security alert to citizens in Nigeria

Major Western nations including United States, Britain and Israel have issued traveling warnings and security alerts to citizens in Nigeria, urging travelers to refrain from visiting Abuja and some other cities in the country.

“On October 27, 2022, the Department ordered the departure of family members of U.S. government employees from Abuja due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks there. On October 25, 2022, the Department authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members from Abuja due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks there.  U.S. Embassy Abuja is only able to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Abuja. “

“The State Department has ordered non-emergency US embassy employees and their family members in Abuja, Nigeria to leave the country “due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks there.”

The department also issued a “Level 3” travel advisory for the entire country, urging: “Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and maritime crime.”

Earlier this week, the State Department authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members, having earlier warned of planned terror attacks in the Nigerian capital Abuja.”

“In a similar advisory to British nationals, the UK government advised against nonessential travel to the Nigerian capital, while warning against all travel to 12 Nigerian states.”

“Israel’s National Security Council on Thursday issued a travel advisory urging Israelis to avoid non-essential visits to Nigeria due to the threat of terror attacks in that country. “In recent days, there has been an increase in terrorist threats in Nigeria,” the NSC said. “The fear of possible terrorist attacks is rising in several arenas in the country, with an emphasis on the capital Abuja.”