The United States Department of State has advised its citizens to avoid travelling to 23 countries, placing them under its highest travel advisory level because of security risks and limited US consular assistance.
In an updated advisory shared on its official TravelGov X account, the State Department said the affected countries fall under Level 4: Do Not Travel, the highest category in its travel advisory system.
According to the department, Level 4 destinations are considered too dangerous for travel due to armed conflict, terrorism, crime, civil unrest or other serious threats, as well as situations where the US government’s ability to assist its citizens is severely restricted.
“These places are dangerous. Do not go for any reason,” the advisory stated.
Countries on the US Level 4 travel advisory
The 23 countries are:
- Afghanistan
- Belarus
- Burkina Faso
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Haiti
- Iran
- Iraq
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Mali
- Niger
- North Korea
- Russia
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- Yemen
Of the countries listed, 11 are in Africa: Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Mali, Niger, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.
While Nigeria is not on the Level 4 list, the State Department has retained the country under Level 3: Reconsider Travel, citing concerns over crime, terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest and inconsistent healthcare services.
However, the US has designated several Nigerian states as Level 4: Do Not Travel because of heightened security risks.
The affected states include Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe and northern Adamawa, as well as Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo and Rivers states, with the exception of Port Harcourt.
Reacting to the advisory, the Federal Government said the US travel warning is a routine precaution based on America’s internal assessment procedures and does not accurately reflect Nigeria’s overall security situation.
Minister of Information Mohammed Idris acknowledged that some parts of the country face security challenges but maintained that there has been no breakdown of law and order, insisting that Nigeria remains stable.
