The United States Embassy in Abuja has been temporarily closed over a possible proTest by the Shia Muslim sect in the capital city.
The sect have organised protests in parts of Northern Nigeria where they are seen trampling on American and Israeli flags, especially in Kano where they condemned the ongoing conflict in Iran.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the US authorities stated that, “Due to the potential for protests in Abuja, the U.S. Embassy will be closed for routine business until Monday, March 9, 2026,”
“Visa appointments originally scheduled for March 4 and 5, as well as American Citizen Services (ACS) appointments scheduled for March 5, have been rescheduled to next week.”
“Please check your email or AVITs account for your new appointment date. ACS applicants: Please check your email for your new appointment date.
“If you do not see a new appointment, visa applicants should contact us through our Visa Navigator for assistance. Continue to monitor our website and social media channels for further updates.”
The embassy had earlier canceled all visa appointments and issued an urgent security alert to American citizens over fears that protests by Shia Muslims in the federal capital could spiral into violence following the assassination of Mr Khamenei.
Announcing the cancelation of the visa appointments, the embassy also cited possible protests in Abuja.
“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 in part.
The Shia Muslim sect has been engaged in running battles with governments in Nigeria, under the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, the sect faced most troubling times as they suffered heavy losses as a result of confrontation with the Nigerian military which led to a shootout in Zaria, Kaduna State which allegedly resulted in the death of hundreds of death of Shia Muslims.
The Shia leader, El Zakzaky has been a strong supporter of the Iranian government. He had been detained for several months by Nigeria’s domestic intelligence agency, the Department of State Services (DSS).
Since the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatola Ali Kamanae, the sect have protested in Kaduna, Kano, Niger and Katsina states.