The United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom have issued travel advisories against travel to Niger, citing terrorism in Niger and kidnapping of foreign nationals. Last week, an American missionary was kidnapped in Niger’s capital, Niamey, prompting a travel alert.
In their advisory, all three countries asked their citizens not to rely on government services for evacuation.
What did the US Travel Advisory say?
The State Department has issued a travel advisory for all US citizens who are in Niger or planning to travel to the country due to crime, unrest, terrorism, health and kidnapping.
“Do not travel to Niger for any reason. On October 30, 2025, the State Department authorized the departure of all family members of US government employees in Niger due to security risks. The US government cannot offer routine or emergency services to US citizens outside of Niamey due to security risks,” the alert reads.
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It said all restaurants and open-air markets are off-limits to US government employees working in Niger. The American citizens were asked to take the same precautions.
“Terrorists continue to plan attacks and use kidnapping for ransom as a business model. They target vulnerable groups and US interests. Terrorists and their supporters are active in planning kidnappings in Niger and can strike anywhere,” the advisory said.
British Travel Council for Niger: ‘Don’t rely on us’
The British government has warned its citizens against traveling to Niger, citing an increase in terrorist and criminal kidnappings of foreign nationals reported this year.
It said the risk of terrorist attacks remained throughout the country, including the capital Niamey. The advisory also noted that the political situation remains unstable following the July 2023 military coup.
Of the aid, the British government said: “Support for UK nationals is very limited in Niger. Assistance is provided remotely from the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos. Personal assistance is not available.”
“Don’t rely on the UK government to evacuate you as they may not be able to do this. Make your own plans for how you would leave the country, make sure you have all your travel documents up to date and monitor the local situation.”
Canadian travel advisory for Niger: ‘Avoid movement after dark’
The Canadian government has also asked its citizens to avoid all travel to Niger due to “continued political instability and the risk of terrorism and kidnapping”.
“If you are in Niger: they have evacuation plans that don’t rely on Canada’s government assistance; be careful and aware of your surroundings; Avoid areas near government buildings, groups of security forces and places where large gatherings are held,” the advisory said.
The government also asked its citizens not to go out after dark and if traveling between the airport and Niamey, “only (so) in a convoy of at least two vehicles.”
“Do not travel after dark. Nocturnal attacks on tourists have occurred in most of the country, particularly on the Agadez-Arlit, Agadez-Tahoua and Tillabéry-Niamey roads and the town of Zinder… There is a high threat of kidnapping by terrorist groups throughout Niger. This includes the capital Niamey.”
