US expands Nigeria travel warning, lets embassy staff leave Abuja

The United States has urged its citizens to reconsider travel to Nigeria and authorised the departure ​of non‑emergency U.S. government employees and their families ‌from the embassy in Abuja, citing worsening security conditions across Africa’s most populous nation.

U.S. travel advisories often shape how investors, international ​organisations and airlines assess country risk. The move ​to allow staff departures signals heightened concern in Washington ⁠as kidnappings, banditry and attacks on security forces ​persist, particularly in northern Nigeria.

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. That brings to 23 ​out of 36 the number of states under the “Do Not Travel” ‌category.

The ⁠U.S. highlighted threats from Islamist insurgents in the northeast, criminal gangs in the northwest and ongoing violence in parts of southern and southeastern Nigeria, including oil‑producing regions.
Last month, ​Washington warned of ​a “terrorist threat” ⁠against U.S. facilities and affiliated schools in Nigeria.

The U.S. reviews the advisory several times ​a year and has kept Nigeria at ​Level 3 ⁠or Level 4 for much of the past decade due to persistent insecurity.

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

By MacDonald Dzirutwe, Reuters

Related story: Joint Security Forces Neutralize Bandits, Thwart Attack on Niger Communities

Nigeria sweats in heatwave as Iran war drives up costs to stay cool

High temperatures are nothing new for Nigeria, Africa's most populous country which is just above the equator. However, according to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the situation is worsening. It warned in a 2025 report that from 2016 to 2025, nine out of ten years were "among the 12 warmest on record."

Analysts attribute the rising temperatures in Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos, to climate change, its coastal location, dense population, limited greenery, and heavy traffic.

The constant use of generators worsens the problem because the petrol-guzzling machines emit heat and greenhouse gases.

Public transport, meanwhile, is shambolic, with most commercial vehicles dilapidated and lacking functioning air conditioning.

Temperatures reached 35 degrees Celsius in Lagos at the end of March, according to NiMet.

They reached 38 degrees Celsius in the capital Abuja, while Sokoto in the northwest hit 44 degrees Celsius, with NiMet describing the conditions as "unhealthy."

Rising fuel prices

Nigeria's unique economic situation as Africa's fourth-largest economy, combined with a dilapidated power grid that is much less stable than those of some of its poorer neighbors, has led to widespread use of private generators, at least among those who can afford them.

That number may be dwindling as fuel prices soar due to the Iran war. Gasoline prices have nearly doubled in the capital, from around 850 naira ($0.62) per liter to over 1,300 – a record high in a country where it was sold for about 195 naira at the start of 2023.

Health warnings

The heatwave could also worsen Nigeria's malaria problem. According to the World Health Organization, climate change – through increased rainfall, temperatures, and humidity – can sometimes speed up malaria transmission by helping mosquitoes to breed faster.

Nigeria recorded about a quarter of the world's malaria cases and 30% of global deaths in 2024, according to the WHO.

The upcoming rainy season provides some relief as storms cool down temperatures.

However, it will also present its own challenges, like flooding.

CGTN

Joint Security Forces Neutralize Bandits, Thwart Attack on Niger Communities

A joint security operation involving troops of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and local volunteer forces has successfully thwarted a planned large-scale attack on communities in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The operation, which took place on Tuesday, targeted bandits who were reportedly advancing on Bagna and Erena communities. Local sources indicated that the attack, if carried out, could have resulted in significant casualties and destruction.

Credible security sources revealed that the successful intervention was made possible through advance intelligence that exposed the bandits’ plan. Acting on this information, the combined security team strategically positioned themselves and laid an ambush for the attackers.

As the bandits approached the targeted communities in large numbers, they were met with heavy resistance from the operatives and local volunteers. In the ensuing confrontation, scores of the attackers were reportedly killed, effectively neutralizing the threat

“Over 300 bandits armed with dangerous weapons and on motorcycles were headed to the communities. Unfortunately for them, security operatives and local vigilantes, who had credible intelligence on their movements, ambushed them. Scores were killed while many others fled toward the Makuba and Allawa axis” the source revealed.

Residents of the communities expressed gratitude to the security operatives and volunteer forces, noting that their gallantry saved them from what would have been a major disaster.

“We are very happy. We thank the joint security forces for protecting us,” one of the residents stated.

“We are witnessing an increase in ĺcollaboration between security agencies and local volunteer forces. This has led to a bridging of security gaps, and making the first line of defence against insecurity very effective,” the source said, stressing, “their actions have helped strengthened security in several communities across the country.”

This Day

Related story: Nigeria rolls out locally made armoured carriers as army ramps up defence capabilities

Families in Nigeria With Autistic Children Fight for Better Support

Autism is gaining more global attention, but awareness and support remain limited in many parts of Africa. In Nigeria, families raising children on the spectrum often face stigma, isolation, and limited access to care.

DW

Nigeria Debuts New Crude Grade with Landmark Export to the Netherlands

Nigeria’s state oil company NNPC has exported its first cargo of a new light crude grade, Cawthorne, to the Netherlands, the company said on Wednesday.

NNPC is aiming to boost production and diversify its export streams as Nigeria works to lift output after years of underinvestment, oil theft and operational disruptions.

About 950,000 barrels were shipped from the Cawthorne floating storage and offloading vessel (FSO), located off Bonny in Rivers State, which supports output from oil mining lease 18, NNPC said.

The launch follows recent additions such as Nembe and Utapate crudes under what NNPC described as a broader strategy to expand Nigeria’s portfolio of exportable oil blends.

Nigeria produced about 1.4 million barrels per day in March, OPEC data shows, well below capacity.

NNPC Chief Executive Bashir Bayo Ojulari said the development supported government targets to raise crude output to three million bpd by 2030.

Nigeria depends on oil exports for most of its foreign exchange earnings.

Reuters