Dare Babalola
The U.S. embassy in Abuja has cancelled all visa appointments and warned American citizens to exercise caution due to concerns that Shia Muslim protests in the federal capital might escalate into violence, following reports of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamene’s death.
The U.S. embassy stated that it cancelled Wednesday visa appointments due to the likelihood of protests by Shia Muslims, who blame the U.S. and Israel for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death.
“Due to the potential for protests in Abuja, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja has cancelled all visa appointments on Wednesday, March 4, 2026,” the U.S. government stated.
The embassy said affected applicants would be contacted with information on rescheduling their appointments.
It urged American citizens in Abuja to remain indoors on Wednesday, should protests erupt. It warned of possible unrest and advised U.S. nationals to maintain a low profile, avoid crowded areas and monitor local media for updates.
Citizens were also enjoined to familiarise themselves with emergency exits and egress routes in any building they enter and to “vary travel routes and times to reduce predictability”.
Since the Iranian leader was gunned down on Saturday, protests have erupted in parts of northern Nigeria, including Kano , Kaduna, Bauchi, Niger, Katsina, and Abuja.
In those states, minority Shia Muslims marched through the streets carrying portraits of the Iranian leader, mourning his death with chants and songs, and condemning the U.S. and Israel.
