Insecurity: US Embassy in Abuja cancels visa appointments

By Admin

The United States Embassy in Abuja has announced the cancellation of all visa appointments and directed applicants to check their email for details on rescheduled dates.

The notice was shared on the U.S. mission in Nigeria’s official X handle on Thursday, and it reads: “U.S. Embassy Abuja is closed for visa appointments. Applicants should check their email 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 comes hours after the U.S. Department of State authorized non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families to leave the Abuja Embassy, citing a deteriorating security situation 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 overall travel advisory for Nigeria is “Level 3: Reconsider Travel,” while certain states are at “Level 4: Do Not Travel.”

The advisory specifically warned that U.S. citizens should avoid Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, and northern Adamawa States in the North due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.

Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States were also listed for unrest, crime, and kidnapping risks.

And in responding to the advisory, the Federal Government of Nigeria described the U.S. travel notice as “unbalanced” and urged international partners to provide more accurate and up-to-date assessments of the country’s security situation.