Insecurity: US embassy in Abuja cancels, halts all visa appointments

The United States Embassy in Abuja has announced the cancellation of all visa appointments, advising applicants to check their emails for information on rescheduled dates.

In a notice issued on Thursday, the embassy stated that visa services would continue at the United States Consulate General Lagos.

It added that American citizen services remain available by appointment or in emergency situations.

The development comes shortly after the United States Department of State authorised the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families from Abuja, citing worsening security conditions across Nigeria.

In an updated travel advisory, the department urged Americans to reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest.

The advisory placed Nigeria under “Level 3: Reconsider Travel,” while designating certain states as “Level 4: Do Not Travel.”

“On April 8, 2026, the Department of State authorized non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to leave U.S. Embassy Abuja due to the deteriorating security situation,” the advisory stated.

“Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and inconsistent availability of health care services. Some areas have increased risk,” it added.

States listed under the highest-risk category include Borno State, Jigawa State, Kogi State, Kwara State, Niger State, Plateau State, Taraba State, Yobe State, and parts of Adamawa State, due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.

The advisory also highlighted Bauchi State, Gombe State, Kaduna State, Kano State, Katsina State, Sokoto State, and Zamfara State as areas facing unrest, crime, and kidnapping.