The United States Embassy in Abuja has announced the cancellation of all visa appointments, directing applicants to check their emails for details regarding rescheduled dates.

The notice was shared on the U.S. mission in Nigeria official X handle on Thursday.

The statement reads: “U.S. Embassy Abuja is closed for visa appointments. Applicants should check their email for details on rescheduled appointments.

“Visa operations at U.S. Consulate General Lagos continue. American citizen services are available in emergencies and by appointment.”

The advisory comes hours after the U.S. Department of State authorized non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families to leave the Abuja Embassy, citing a deteriorating security situation across Nigeria.

In an updated travel advisory which caused a stir online, the Department urged Americans to reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest.

The overall travel advisory for Nigeria has been classified as “Level 3: Reconsider Travel,” while certain states are at “Level 4: Do Not Travel.”

The advisory specifically warned that U.S. citizens should avoid Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, and northern Adamawa States in the North due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.

Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States were also highlighted for unrest, crime, and kidnapping risks.

Responding to the advisory, the Federal Government of Nigeria described the U.S. travel notice as “unbalanced” and urged international partners to provide more accurate and up-to-date assessments of the country’s security situation.