Abdulsalam Hammad
The United States has added Kwara State to its list of states Americans should not travel to in Nigeria, citing rising insecurity.
In an updated travel advisory issued on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, the US Department of State said Nigeria remains at Level 3: Reconsider Travel, but expanded its Level 4: Do Not Travel list to 23 states.
The five newly added states are Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger and Taraba, joining existing high-risk states.
The full list of 23 states now under Level 4 below
Northern part are: Borno, Yobe, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Jigawa, northern Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara
Southern part are: Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, Rivers (excluding Port Harcourt)
The State Department warned of widespread violent crime including armed robbery, carjacking, assault, kidnapping for ransom, roadside banditry and hostage-taking. It said Americans are often seen as wealthy and are prime targets.
It also warned that terrorist groups could attack with little or no warning, targeting shopping centres, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants, schools and government buildings.
The advisory also authorized the departure of non-emergency US government employees and their families from the US Embassy in Abuja, effective April 8, 2026. The embassy has also suspended visa appointments.
In its reaction, the Federal Government rejected the advisory. The Ministry of Information said the alert was based on US internal protocols and does not reflect the overall security situation in Nigeria.
”While we acknowledge isolated security challenges in some areas, there is no general breakdown of law and order, and the vast majority of the country remains stable,” the government said, urging international partners to engage with Nigerian authorities for current information.
United States puts Kwara, 23 other states on ‘do not travel’ list
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