Amid rising hostilities between Israel and Iran, the Nigerian government has initiated emergency plans to evacuate its citizens from both countries.
In a statement released Tuesday night, Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that Nigerian embassies in Israel and Iran have been instructed to identify affected nationals and ensure their safe return.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that, following the escalation of the crisis between the State of Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Federal Government is finalising arrangements for the emergency evacuation of stranded Nigerians in both countries,” the statement said.
The ministry also urged Nigerians in the conflict zones to follow all security instructions and maintain close contact with embassy officials. It commended diplomatic staff in both nations for their swift response and ongoing efforts to safeguard Nigerian communities.
Reassuring the public of its unwavering commitment to the safety and welfare of citizens abroad, the federal government called for an immediate ceasefire between the warring parties. It also reiterated its earlier condemnation of Israel’s offensive and expressed continued support for peaceful conflict resolution.
“Nigeria stands firm in its support for the peaceful resolution of conflicts and reaffirms its longstanding commitment to regional and global peace and stability,” the statement added.
The crisis intensified after Israel launched a large-scale airstrike on Friday, hitting more than 100 strategic locations in Iran, including military and nuclear sites. The strikes claimed the lives of several senior Iranian military officials, including Mohammad Bagheri and Hossein Sala. Iran responded with retaliatory attacks, resulting in casualties among both civilians and military personnel in both countries.
