Nigerians living in Israel and Iran are seeking urgent assistance from the Nigerian government as the conflict between the two countries intensifies. The hostilities have resulted in at least 264 deaths, including 70 women and children, with many more injured.
In Israel, Nigerians have taken shelter in underground bunkers to escape the missile attacks, with some describing their ordeal as harrowing. Ekene Abaka, a Nigerian in Tel Aviv, said members of the Nigerian community in the city had joined other foreigners in taking cover in shelters provided by the Israeli military.
A software engineer living in Jerusalem, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Nigerians in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem had been scrambling for safety since the conflict began. He lamented the “indifference and insensitivity” of the Nigerian embassy to their predicament, saying the embassy had shut down and was not providing any support.
The conflict has also disrupted businesses, with the Israeli government shutting down all activities until further notice. This has negatively impacted the livelihoods of Nigerians, who rely on daily or hourly income.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has announced plans to evacuate its citizens from the warring countries. The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Nigerian Embassies in Israel and Tehran were actively reaching out to affected citizens and coordinating efforts to ensure their safe return.
However, nearly 1,000 Nigerians stranded in Iran remain in limbo, awaiting final border clearance from Armenia to begin their evacuation. The Nigerian Embassy in Tehran has completed logistical arrangements to move citizens to Armenia, where they will be airlifted home.
Other countries, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Greece, and Bulgaria, have already evacuated hundreds of their citizens from the conflict zone. The Nigerian government has assured its citizens that all hands are on deck to secure permission for evacuation and airlift them to safety.