July 18, 2026 | International | SUNTV Global Channel
The United States government has updated its global travel advisory, urging American citizens to avoid travel to 23 countries classified under its highest security risk, Level 4: Do Not Travel, citing armed conflicts, terrorism, violent crime, kidnapping, and limited access to emergency consular services.
According to the U.S. Department of State, Level 4 advisories are issued for destinations where security conditions pose severe threats to travelers or where the U.S. government’s ability to provide assistance is significantly restricted.
Among the countries placed on the Level 4 list are Afghanistan, Haiti, Russia, Belarus, Iran, Somalia, Burkina Faso, Iraq, South Sudan, Myanmar, Lebanon, Sudan, the Central African Republic, Libya, Syria, Chad, Mali, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, Ukraine, North Korea, and Yemen.
Of the 23 countries, 11 are in Africa, with many located across the Sahel, East Africa, and Central Africa, regions facing persistent security challenges linked to terrorism, armed insurgency, and political instability.
Although Nigeria was not included among the countries under the global Level 4 designation, the U.S. maintained its Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisory for the country due to concerns over kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, and inconsistent healthcare services.
The advisory also places 23 Nigerian states under stricter Level 4 warnings. Americans have been advised against traveling to states including Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Zamfara, Abia, Anambra, Imo, and parts of Rivers State, citing heightened risks of terrorism, armed violence, kidnapping, and civil unrest.
Reacting to previous U.S. security advisories, the Nigerian Federal Government described the warnings as precautionary measures based on America’s internal security assessment, insisting that Nigeria remains stable despite ongoing security challenges in some regions.
The U.S. Department of State advised travelers to carefully review official travel advisories before making international travel plans, stressing that personal safety should remain a top priority.
