US embassy in Abuja cancels visa appointments over protest fears

US Embassy, Abuja

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has cancelled all visa appointments scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, 2026, citing a high potential for protests in Abuja amid escalating hostilities between the United States and Iran.

In a statement posted on its website on Wednesday, the Embassy warned of “Potential Demonstrations” in the Federal Capital Territory and urged American citizens to remain indoors.

“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja informs U.S. citizens that there is a high potential for protests in Abuja tomorrow, March 4, 2026, due to the current conflict with Iran.

“Previous protests by some groups have resulted in violent clashes between the groups and Nigerian security forces. The Embassy strongly recommends that all U.S. citizens in Abuja remain in their residences on Wednesday, March 4,” the notice stated.

The warning comes against the backdrop of intensifying global tensions following reports by Iranian state and local media confirming the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after airstrikes reportedly carried out by the United States and Israel.

Several other high-ranking Iranian officials were also said to have been killed in the strikes, triggering swift retaliation from Tehran.

In response, Iran reportedly launched multiple missiles targeting U.S. bases in Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, vowing to avenge the death of its Supreme Leader and other regime officials. The conflict, which began with coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes over the weekend, has shown no sign of abating as it entered its fifth day. Punch