The United States embassy in Abuja announces closure of visa appointments

The US embassy announced the shutdown on Thursday and advised applicants to check their email for rescheduled appointments.

The embassy stated that visa operations at the US consulate general in Lagos will continue, with American citizen services available in emergencies and by appointment.

A resumption date for visa services in Abuja was not provided.

The announcement comes a day after the US State Department issued an updated travel advisory authorising non-emergency government personnel and their families to leave its embassy in Abuja due to Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation.

Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba states were added to the ‘Do not go’ list in the travel alert “due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.”

On March 29, gunmen invaded the Gari Ya Waye neighborhood of Angwan Rukuba, Jos North, killing more than 20 people and injured several others. The attack happened on Palm Sunday, a Christian celebration.

On Tuesday, gunmen reportedly killed at least 20 people in different communities in Niger State, as well as scores in Kebbi.

Previously, Nigeria downplayed the importance of the travel advisory, claiming that the US decision was only a “routine precaution guided by internal protocols” that did not represent the country’s reality.

Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information, urged international partners to provide “balanced and up-to-date reporting that reflects the progress being made” in the security sector.