By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
The U.S. Embassy in Abuja has suspended all visa interviews and issued an urgent security alert for American citizens due to the potential for protests in Nigeria’s capital following the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the embassy cited concerns that demonstrations by Shia Muslim groups, angered over Khamenei’s death, which they attribute to U.S. and Israeli forces, could escalate into violence.
“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 statement read. Applicants affected by the cancellations will be contacted with instructions on rescheduling their appointments.
The embassy also advised U.S. citizens in Abuja to stay indoors if protests occur, avoid crowded areas, and keep a low profile. Travelers were urged to monitor local media for updates, be familiar with emergency exits and evacuation routes, and vary travel routes and times to reduce predictability.
Since Khamenei’s death on Saturday, protests have erupted in parts of northern Nigeria, including Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Niger, Katsina, and Abuja. Demonstrators, mostly minority Shia Muslims, have marched through city streets carrying portraits of the late leader, chanting and singing, while condemning the actions of the U.S. and Israel.
The embassy’s alert comes amid heightened tensions globally, as several countries adjust security measures and monitor potential unrest related to the Middle East conflict.
