Senate President Godswill Akpabio has responded to worries about the reported closure of the US Embassy in Nigeria by saying that it is due to fears about global security rather than a local political issue.
It was reported that the United States Department of State had given the go-ahead for non-emergency government workers and their families to leave its embassy in Abuja on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, because the security situation in Nigeria was getting worse.
In a new travel advisory, the department said that the order went into effect on April 8, 2026. It told Americans to think twice about going to the country because of rising concerns about crime, terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, and inconsistent healthcare services.
During the opening of the new NRS headquarters in Abuja, Akpabio said that claims that embassies were closing because of the Nigerian election were wrong.
“Some people say that some embassies are still closing down.” He said, “Not many embassies are actually closing; many of them are afraid of what their enemies will do.”
He said that the US and other countries may take steps around the world to be safe because tensions are rising with enemies like Iran.
Akpabio said, “For example, I can say that America is a little worried about a bomb going off in Iran, so they have to cut back on staff around the world in case Iran decides to attack their embassies.”
He warned Nigerians not to connect these kinds of events to politics at home, especially elections.
“But people are saying, “Oh, Nigerian embassies are closing because the election is coming.” It’s not because the election is coming. He went on to say, “The election will come and go, and God will protect you.”
Akpabio also told people that they were safe and that he was sure Nigeria was still safe even though things were uncertain around the world.
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