The Federal Government on Monday said it is working out administrative procedures and the release of funds for the evacuation of Nigerians affected by the ongoing crisis in parts of the Middle-East East.
The decision comes amid escalating tensions in the region, triggered by missile and drone attacks linked to Iran, which have raised security concerns across several Gulf nations.
This follows coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, told our correspondent that arrangements for evacuation were ongoing.
“The government is working out the necessary administrative details and the release of funds to commence evacuation,” he said.
The update follows earlier concerns over the safety of Nigerians stranded in countries including Iran, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar, among others, after regional hostilities disrupted flights and travel plans.
Last week, the ministry told The PUNCH that its immediate priority was Nigerians in the most vulnerable areas, particularly those in Iran and Israel, where the security situation has made evacuation more complicated.
The ministry had explained that the evacuation process from Iran involves significant logistical challenges, including transporting stranded students from various universities to the Armenian border and meeting entry conditions set by Armenian authorities.
It further noted that the government was exploring different evacuation options, including the possibility of deploying Nigerian Air Force aircraft, although the volatile security situation in the region had made it difficult to secure flights.
The ministry also added that most of the Nigerians stranded in Qatar were transit passengers whose flights were disrupted, but who were being taken care of by their airlines.
Giving updates to The PUNCH, Ebienfa stated, “Qatar Airways has started operating flights to Nigeria. There was a flight to Lagos today (Monday) from Doha.
“So, in a few days, the category of Nigerian stranded due to transit flights that were affected by the crisis will all be in Nigeria. This is in addition to flights to Cairo, Egypt and Nairobi, Kenya that included some Nigerians.”
On Saturday, the Ministry of Defence of the UAE confirmed that its air defence systems intercepted multiple ballistic missiles and drones launched from Iran.
The ministry disclosed that its air defence systems engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 unmanned aerial vehicles on March 14, describing the incidents as part of a broader wave of attacks since the beginning of what it termed Iranian aggression.
Authorities also confirmed that casualties from the attacks included residents and foreign workers from several countries, with six people reportedly killed and more than 140 others sustaining injuries of varying degrees.
The UAE Ministry of Defence had earlier stated that its forces remained on high alert and ready to respond to any threats to the country’s security.
Since the beginning of the hostilities, the ministry said its air defence systems had intercepted 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and about 1,600 drones launched from Iran.
Officials said the casualties recorded involved individuals from multiple countries, including Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.
Ebienfa further informed The PUNCH that the Nigerian who was injured “has been treated and discharged.”
Iran backs FG
Meanwhile, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Nigeria, Gholamreza Raja, has said the Iranian government is willing to cooperate with Nigerian authorities to facilitate the safe departure of Nigerian nationals who may wish to leave the country.
Raja, in an exclusive chat with The PUNCH on Monday, stressed that Iran remained committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of foreign nationals, including Nigerians, currently residing in the country.
According to him, the Embassy of Nigeria in Tehran has already taken necessary steps to assist all foreign citizens and has continued to maintain communication with members of the Nigerian community.
“Naturally, the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran has taken the necessary measures to assist and support its nationals, and it remains in contact with members of the Nigerian community to provide guidance where needed,” the ambassador said.
He added that the Iranian government is ready to cooperate with relevant authorities to make travel arrangements easier for Nigerians who may choose to leave the country.
“At the same time, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to cooperate in facilitating the departure of Nigerian nationals if they wish to leave the country,” Raja stated.
The envoy explained that Iran’s land borders with neighbouring countries remained open and are currently being used by foreign nationals for travel.