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The State Department mentioned it licensed the departure of some workers at its embassy in Nigeria over the “deteriorating safety state of affairs” within the African nation.
The event comes weeks after the U.S. navy reportedly despatched MQ-9 Reaper drones to Nigeria amid fears of a renewed insurgency by the terrorist group Boko Haram. The day earlier than the authorization was issued, gunmen attacked two villages about 155 miles from Abuja, the place the U.S. embassy is positioned, killing 20 folks, residents advised The Related Press.
“On April 8, 2026, the U.S. Division of State licensed the voluntary departure of non-emergency U.S. authorities workers and members of the family from U.S. Embassy Abuja as a result of deteriorating safety state of affairs,” the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria mentioned. “The U.S. Embassy in Abuja will stay open however could have restricted means to supply emergency providers to U.S. residents in Nigeria.”
“The U.S. Consulate Common in Lagos will proceed to supply routine and emergency providers to U.S. residents in Nigeria,” it added. “The Division of State Journey Advisory for Nigeria stays at Degree 3, recommending vacationers rethink journey to Nigeria as a result of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed gangs, and inconsistent availability of well being care providers.”
GUNMEN ON BIKES STORM NIGERIA VILLAGE ON PALM SUNDAY, KILLING AT LEAST 20
Nigerian troopers put together to patrol in Maiduguri on March 18, 2026, following a lethal triple suicide bombing that killed 23 folks on March 16. (Audu Marte/AFP/Getty Pictures)
The embassy additionally mentioned that “U.S. residents in Abuja ought to think about departing if you do not want to stay for emergency or important functions.”
The current assaults occurred within the early hours of Tuesday in Bagna and Erena, positioned within the Shiroro space of Niger state.
“They got here on motorbikes and commenced capturing. It was a surprise attack, as a result of it was within the early hours of the morning,” Jibrin Isah, who lives in Erena, advised the AP.
100 US TROOPS LAND IN NIGERIA AS ISLAMIC MILITANTS THREATEN WEST AFRICA REGIONAL SECURITY
Cops collect on the scene of Sunday evening gunmen assault in Gari Ya Waye neighborhood within the Jos North Nigeria, Monday, March 30, 2026. (Samson Omale/AP)
Residents mentioned that no less than 20 folks had been killed, with extra lacking. Nevertheless, native police mentioned that solely three folks had been killed.
The State Division mentioned in a journey advisory issued Wednesday that there’s “threat of terrorist violence, together with terrorist assaults and different exercise in Nigeria,” including that “Terrorists collaborate with native gangs to develop their attain” and “They could assault with little or no warning.”
The MQ-9 drones reportedly had been deployed to Nigeria in late March after 200 U.S. troops arrived in February to supply coaching and intelligence. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is battling a posh safety disaster, particularly within the north of the nation.
A spokesperson for AFRICOM, the U.S. Africa Command, had advised the AP that U.S. troops “are working alongside their Nigerian counterparts to supply intelligence help, advisory help, and focused coaching in help of the Nigerian Armed Forces.”
Among the many most outstanding Islamic militant teams lively in Nigeria are Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, which is affiliated with the Islamic State and is called Islamic State West Africa Province, or ISWAP.
A U.S. navy MQ-9 Reaper drone approaches for touchdown at Rafael Hernandez Airport in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, on Dec. 29, 2025. (Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/AFP)
There may be additionally the ISIS-linked Lakurawa, in addition to different “bandit” teams specializing in kidnapping for ransom and unlawful mining.
President Donald Trump has spoken out against violence targeting Christians in Nigeria, telling Fox Information Radio final yr “I’m actually offended about it” and “What’s taking place in Nigeria is a shame.”
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Secretary of Warfare Pete Hegseth additionally met with Nigerian Nationwide Safety Adviser Nuhu Ribadu final November amid threats from Trump to chop off help to Nigeria if the nation “continues to permit the killing of Christians.” Nigerian officers have pushed again on the accusation.
Fox Information Digital’s Anders Hagstrom and The Related Press contributed to this report.
