The United States Embassy in Abuja has temporarily halted routine operations amid security concerns over potential protests in Nigeria’s capital city.

In a notice issued on Thursday, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria announced that the embassy would remain closed for routine services until Monday, March 9, 2026. The decision affects visa interviews and American Citizen Services appointments that had been scheduled for earlier in the week.

According to the Mission, visa appointments originally fixed for March 4 and 5, as well as American Citizen Services (ACS) appointments for March 5, have been moved to new dates next week. Applicants have been advised to check their email or their AVITs accounts for updated schedules.

“Due to the potential for protests in Abuja, the U.S. Embassy will be closed for routine business until Monday, March 9, 2026,” the Mission said in a statement shared on its official X account.

The embassy also directed applicants who do not receive a new appointment notification to seek help through the Visa Navigator platform, while urging the public to monitor its official website and social media pages for further updates.

The closure comes amid heightened security in Abuja following reports of planned demonstrations in the city. Security agencies were reportedly deployed across parts of the Federal Capital Territory earlier in the week in response to concerns about possible protests.

The anticipated demonstrations are believed to be linked to members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), who have held protests in several states including Niger, Sokoto, Kaduna, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, and Lagos.

Members of the group reportedly described the protests as acts of solidarity with Iran after reports emerged that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had died in airstrikes allegedly carried out by the United States and Israel.

Source: Punchng