The United States Embassy in Abuja has cancelled all visa appointments, urging affected applicants to check their email inboxes for updates and further instructions on rescheduled dates.
The statement reads
“U.S Embassy Abuja is closed for visa appointments. Applicants should check
their emails for details on rescheduled appointments.”
"Visa operations at U.S.
Consulate General Lagos continue. American citizen services are available in
emergencies and by appointment.”
The advisory was issued
shortly after the U.S. Department of State approved the departure of
non-emergency government staff and their families from the Abuja Embassy,
citing worsening security conditions across Nigeria.
In a revised advisory
that sparked widespread reaction online, the Department urged Americans to
rethink travel to Nigeria, citing concerns over crime, terrorism, kidnapping,
and civil unrest.
Nigeria’s overall
travel advisory has been placed at “Level 3: Reconsider Travel,” with some
states designated “Level 4: Do Not Travel.”
The advisory
specifically cautioned U.S. citizens against traveling to Borno, Jigawa, Kogi,
Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, and northern Adamawa States, citing risks
of terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.
Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna,
Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States were likewise flagged over concerns
related to unrest, crime, and kidnapping.
In response, the
Federal Government of Nigeria described the U.S. travel advisory as
“unbalanced” and called on international partners to offer more accurate and
up-to-date evaluations of the country’s security situation.
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