Nigeria has begun evacuating its citizens from Iran as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise following recent military strikes and retaliatory attacks.
The Federal Government said it is currently escorting willing Nigerians from Iran across the Armenian border to ensure their safety while arrangements are being made for their eventual return home.
The development was disclosed by Abike Dabiri‑Erewa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), in a post on her official X account.
The evacuation follows the escalating crisis that began on 28 February after coordinated military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, which triggered retaliatory missile and drone attacks across parts of the region and heightened fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East.
Dabiri-Erewa said officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran are coordinating the movement of Nigerians who wish to leave the country and facilitating their safe passage into Armenia.
She reassured that no Nigerian has been reported harmed since the crisis began.
“Willing Nigerians being escorted across the Armenian border by officials of the Nigerian embassy in Iran for safe passage. No Nigerian in Iran has been affected by the war as officials remain at the border to receive all who want to leave,” she wrote.
She explained that the government is currently unable to organise evacuation flights because of safety concerns in the region’s airspace.
“And as for repatriation flights, the skies are currently unsafe to fly. Luckily, a flight came in from the UAE to Lagos two days ago just before another strike and the closure of the airspace. Once the airspace opens, the multi-agency FG team on crisis and evacuation is on standby. Our prayers are with you and all our people in affected countries,” she said.
The Nigerian government has in the past adopted similar evacuation measures during major international crises affecting its citizens abroad. During the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, hundreds of Nigerian students were evacuated from Eastern Europe through neighbouring countries after airspace closures made direct flights impossible.
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