The Federal Government has begun arrangements to evacuate Nigerian citizens currently in Iran following the growing conflict in the Middle East.
Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs say about 1,000 Nigerians are believed to be in Iran, with many of them students. The government is now working on plans to safely move them out of the country.
Spokesperson for the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed that an inter-ministerial meeting was held on Friday to coordinate the evacuation process. According to him, authorities are considering a route through Armenia as part of the rescue plan.
He explained that the government was taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of its citizens affected by the escalating hostilities in the region.
The situation intensified after the United States and Israel carried out coordinated strikes on Iranian targets last weekend. The attacks reportedly targeted military installations and sites connected to Iran’s missile and nuclear programmes.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was reportedly killed during the first day of the operation, which also struck key leadership and defence facilities.
In response, Iranian forces launched retaliatory attacks on American military bases in several Gulf countries, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The strikes triggered emergency air-defence responses, temporary airspace closures and reports of casualties.
The widening conflict has affected several countries across the region, including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan and Israel, with multiple reports of explosions and air strikes.
Amid the deteriorating security situation, Nigeria recently suspended pilgrimages to Israel and issued a travel advisory for citizens living in or travelling to Iran and neighbouring Gulf states. Nigerians in those areas have been advised to limit non-essential movement and follow safety instructions issued by local authorities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigerian diplomatic missions across the Gulf were in contact with citizens and were working with international partners to ensure their safety.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Embassy in Kuwait, which also oversees diplomatic affairs in Bahrain, has urged Nigerians in both countries to remain vigilant and comply strictly with security advisories as tensions continue in the region.
