The United States Embassy in Abuja has cancelled all visa appointments scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, 2026, citing heightened risks of protests in the Federal Capital Territory linked to escalating hostilities between the United States and Iran.
In a statement on its website, the embassy warned of “potential demonstrations” and urged American citizens in Abuja to remain indoors, noting that previous protests have resulted in violent clashes with Nigerian security forces.
The cancellation follows U.S.-Israeli airstrikes that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and other top officials, prompting retaliatory missile attacks by Tehran on U.S. bases in Gulf countries.
The conflict has entered its fifth day, with the U.S. signaling readiness for military escalation while Iran rules out negotiations.
President Donald Trump described the strikes as having inflicted significant damage on Iran’s military infrastructure, warning of potential risks if succession in Iran mirrors the previous leadership.
Meanwhile, Iran has announced a three-day state funeral for Khamenei, beginning at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque in Tehran, with burial in Mashhad.
The embassy’s advisory highlights the need for vigilance among U.S. citizens in Nigeria and underscores the broader security and diplomatic implications of the ongoing Middle East crisis for Nigerian authorities and residents.
