US Embassy halts visa appointments in Abuja amid insecurity concerns

The United States Embassy in Abuja has suspended all visa interview appointments after a new security advisory on Nigeria.

The embassy informed applicants that they should check their email inboxes for updates on when their appointments will be rescheduled.Despite the shutdown in Abuja, visa processing is still ongoing at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, and emergency services for American citizens remain available through appointments.

The action came shortly after the U.S. government approved the departure of non-essential staff and their families from Abuja. This step was taken due to concerns about safety conditions across parts of the country.In its latest advisory, the U.S. government asked its citizens to think carefully before travelling to Nigeria, pointing to risks such as crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest.

The country was placed under a travel warning level advising caution, while some states were listed under a stricter warning level urging people not to travel there at all.States in the North-East and parts of the North-Central region were mentioned as areas with higher security risks, including threats linked to violent attacks and abductions.

Other states were also listed due to concerns about unrest and criminal activities.The advisory drew reactions within Nigeria, as the Federal Government described the warning as unfair and called for a more balanced view of the country’s security situation.

Officials urged foreign partners to rely on updated and accurate information when issuing such advisories.The situation has raised concerns among travellers and visa applicants, especially those who had planned appointments in Abuja, as they now await new dates from the embassy.