Officials have cited terrorism and kidnapping as reasons for the new travel warning

Washington has called on Americans to avoid traveling to Nigeria and has approved the departure of nonemergency embassy staff and their relatives from the capital Abuja, pointing to a deteriorating security environment.

In an updated advisory released Wednesday, the US Department of State specifically advised against travel to northern and central states - including Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger and Taraba - due to terrorism and armed violence, as well as regions in the northwest and southeast plagued by unrest and criminal gangs.

According to the advisory, violent crime is "common throughout Nigeria," ranging from armed robbery and carjacking to hostage-taking and roadside banditry.

The State Department maintains a four-tier system, where Level 3 means "reconsider travel" and Level 4 signals "do not travel." Nigeria has remained at Level 3 or Level 4 for much of the past decade. In the latest update, nearly two-thirds of the country - 23 out of 36 states - fall under the strictest category.

"Americans are perceived as wealthy and are often targets of crime and kidnapping," the statement read.

The West African state has long struggled with criminal gangs and extremist groups, which frequently hold people for ransom. This gained global attention in 2014 when Boko Haram militants kidnapped hundreds of schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno State. ISWAP is a Boko Haram splinter group, which has conducted attacks on military and civilian targets.

At least 20 people were killed after armed militants attacked in Bagna and Erena in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State earlier this week.

Earlier in March, the US Embassy in Nigeria warned that American facilities and affiliated schools could be targeted in a potential terrorist attack, urging citizens to remain vigilant. Officials did not specify the source of the threat but remained on high alert amid the Middle East war, according to Reuters.

RT

(RT.com)