The United States has ordered non-essential staff and their family members to leave its embassy in Niamey, Niger, due to rising security threats. The U.S. Department of State issued the directive after a recent attack near the capital’s international airport, warning that the situation has become increasingly dangerous. Alongside the evacuation order, American citizens were advised to avoid all travel to Niger.

In its travel advisory, the State Department cited risks such as terrorism, violent crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, and weak medical facilities. It also noted that U.S. authorities can no longer provide routine or emergency services to citizens outside Niamey. Several parts of the country are under a state of emergency, with movement restrictions and military escorts required for foreign travellers outside the capital.

The decision followed an overnight attack on Diori Hamani International Airport in late January, which targeted military facilities located within the airport area. Although airport operations later resumed, the incident raised fresh concerns about security in the heart of the capital. U.S. government workers in Niger have since been ordered to follow strict safety rules, including curfews, use of armoured vehicles, and avoidance of public places such as markets and restaurants.

The advisory also highlighted continued threats across several regions of Niger, including areas near the borders with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria. Health services remain limited, with medical evacuations often necessary even for minor conditions. The evacuation order reflects growing international worry about Niger’s unstable security environment and the risks facing diplomats and civilians alike.