The United States Embassy in Nigeria cancelled all visa appointments scheduled for yesterday in Abuja, citing a high likelihood of protests in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a statement published on its website, the embassy warned of “potential demonstrations” linked to the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, advising American citizens in Abuja 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 security advisory followed reports that U.S.-Israel airstrikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, along with several senior Iranian officials.
The development prompted swift retaliation from Tehran, which 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. and Israeli strikes over the weekend, has now entered its fifth day, with tensions showing no immediate signs of easing.
MEANWHILE, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria has defended its protest in solidarity with Iran, describing the action as a peaceful expression of its long-standing opposition to what it termed aggression against Muslim nations.
The group also condemned what it described as hostility involving Israel and the United States, arguing that attacks on religious or political leaders violate international norms and natural justice.
U.S. Embassy warns citizens of protest in Abuja over Iran conflict
President of the Media Forum of the movement, Ammar Muhammad, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Kaduna, yesterday.
He explained that the movement, under Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky’s leadership, had, for nearly five decades, focused on advocacy, religious teaching, and raising public awareness of issues bordering on justice and social reform.
HOWEVER, Nigerians have been cautioned against any kind of protest, disaffection or act that could jeopardise peaceful coexistence in the country due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. They were also warned against meddling in the ongoing war between Iran, Israel and the United States.
The League of Chief Imams made the appeal while speaking at the 2026 Ramadan Tafsir/Iftar programme at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday night.
Their position was a reaction to the protest staged in some parts of the country, particularly by members of the South-West chapter of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria on Monday in Lagos over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, during recent United States-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Reacting to the development, the League of Chief Imams, who spoke through the National Missioner and Chief Imam of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdulrahman Ahmad, called for calm and restraint, warning that Nigeria must not allow global events to trigger local unrest.
He said Ramadan and Lent periods should be used to pray for the continuous peace of Lagos and Nigeria rather than embarking on protests or any form of disaffection over the Middle East crisis, noting that any form of demonstration or protest should be disallowed.
The Islamic cleric noted that Nigeria is also affected by current global happenings; hence, the need for reflection, solution-solving and constant prayers for the government to succeed at both the state and federal levels.
