US authorizes departure of non-essential staff from Abuja embassy

The United States has ordered the voluntary departure of non-emergency government personnel and their family members from its embassy in Abuja, citing a deteriorating security situation across Nigeria.

The move, authorized on Wednesday, comes amid persistent concerns over widespread insecurity in Nigeria, even as the overall travel advisory level for Nigeria remains unchanged.

The embassy will remain operational but with reduced capacity for emergency services to US citizens. The Consulate General in Lagos will continue to handle routine and emergency consular support.

In an updated advisory late on ​Wednesday, the State Department kept Nigeria at Level 3: Reconsider Travel, but added Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger and Taraba to states Americans ​were warned not to visit.

The US highlighted threats from militant insurgents in the northeast, criminal gangs in the northwest, and ongoing violence in parts of southern and southeastern Nigeria, including oil-producing regions.

The US military has multiple MQ-9 drones operating ⁠in ​Nigeria alongside 200 troops to provide ​training and intelligence support to the military, which is fighting militants ​across the north.

(With input from wires)