The United States Embassy in Nigeria cancelled all visa appointments scheduled for Wednesday in Abuja, citing a high likelihood of protests in the Federal Capital Territory linked to tensions in the Middle East.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a security advisory posted on its website, the embassy warned of potential demonstrations connected to the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, urging American citizens in the capital to remain indoors.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja informs U.S. citizens that there is a high potential for protests in Abuja tomorrow (yesterday), 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 advisory followed reports that joint airstrikes by the United States and Israel killed Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, along with several senior Iranian officials.
The development triggered swift retaliation from Iran, which reportedly launched multiple missiles targeting U.S. military bases in Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, while vowing to avenge the deaths of its top officials.
The conflict — which began with coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes over the weekend — has entered its fifth day, with tensions showing no immediate signs of easing.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) defended protests staged in solidarity with Iran, describing them as a peaceful expression of its long-standing opposition to what it termed aggression against Muslim nations.
Speaking with journalists in Kaduna, Ammar Muhammad, president of the movement’s media forum, said the demonstrations were part of the group’s broader advocacy for justice and global awareness.
He noted that the movement, led by Ibraheem Zakzaky, has for nearly five decades focused on advocacy, religious teaching and raising public awareness on issues of social justice and reform.
However, religious leaders have urged Nigerians to avoid protests or actions that could threaten peace in the country amid the ongoing Middle East crisis.
The appeal was made by the League of Chief Imams during the 2026 Ramadan Tafsir/Iftar programme at Lagos House on Tuesday night.
Reacting to protests staged by members of the South-West chapter of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria in Lagos on Monday, the group’s national missioner and chief imam of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Abdulrahman Ahmad, called for calm and restraint.
Ahmad warned that Nigeria must not allow global developments to spark unrest locally.
He urged Nigerians to use the ongoing Ramadan and Lent periods to pray for peace in Lagos and across the country rather than stage demonstrations over the Middle East conflict.
