The Federal Government of Nigeria on Monday began preparations to evacuate its citizens from parts of the Middle East following rising tensions in the region. The move comes as clashes linked to Iran have led to missile and drone attacks across several countries, creating safety concerns for foreigners, including Nigerians living or travelling there.
Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the government is working on the required procedures and arranging funds to begin the evacuation process.
The plan is aimed at helping Nigerians affected by the crisis, especially those in high-risk areas such as Iran and Israel, where the situation has made movement difficult.
The crisis followed military actions carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran earlier in the month, which led to increased attacks across parts of the Gulf region. Countries like the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait have also been affected, leading to disruptions in flights and travel plans.
The Nigerian government explained that evacuation from Iran presents challenges due to the need to move citizens, including students, from different cities to safer exit points such as the border with Armenia.
Entry requirements by neighbouring countries also add to the difficulty of the process. Authorities are considering different options, including the possible use of military aircraft, though security concerns remain a major issue.
Some Nigerians stranded in Qatar were said to be transit passengers whose flights were interrupted. However, arrangements are being made as airlines gradually resume operations. A number of passengers have already started returning to Nigeria through flights connecting cities like Doha, Cairo and Nairobi.
Meanwhile, authorities in the United Arab Emirates reported multiple interceptions of missiles and drones launched during the conflict. The attacks have caused casualties involving people from different countries, including Nigeria, with several others injured. One Nigerian affected by the incident has received medical treatment and has been discharged.
The Iranian government, through its ambassador to Nigeria Gholamreza Raja, said it is willing to assist Nigerians who wish to leave the country. Iranian authorities have continued to work with the Nigerian embassy in Tehran to provide support and guidance to citizens. Land borders in Iran remain open, and many foreign nationals are using them to exit the country.
The ambassador also noted that several hundred Nigerians live in Iran, many of them students in universities, while others are involved in small business activities. He added that the number may vary since not all citizens register with the embassy.
At the same time, flight disruptions have continued as Emirates Airline suspended operations to and from Dubai due to security concerns. The suspension followed directives from aviation authorities in the UAE as tensions remain high. The airline advised passengers to avoid going to the airport and to wait for further updates.
The suspension has affected many travellers, including Nigerians who depend on Dubai as a major transit route. Some passengers are still dealing with delayed refunds and uncertain travel plans, while business activities linked to travel to Dubai have also been affected as events are cancelled or moved to other locations.
The Federal Government said it will continue to monitor the situation while making efforts to bring affected Nigerians back home safely as the crisis in the Middle East continues.