The State Department issued the authorisation in an update to an advisory summary to “reflect changes to US embassy operations,” according to a statement on its website. It also added advice not to travel to five of Nigeria’s states.
“Terrorists continue plotting and carrying out attacks in Nigeria,” it said, without providing specific details of any potential risks in the capital, Abuja.
The US embassy and Nigeria’s information ministry didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
The American embassy has previously raised concerns about safety in Abuja after it began attacking Iran in February, warning of protests by Nigeria’s small Shia Muslim community. While abductions are frequent in Abuja, the city has largely been spared the deadly attacks and mass kidnappings that take place in other parts of Nigeria.
The US warning comes four months after Washington struck Islamist-militant targets in northwestern Nigeria on Christmas Day. Since then, the US has deployed about 100 soldiers and supplied military equipment to help the country fight terror groups.
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