Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has disclosed that Nigerians who wish to leave Iran amid the ongoing regional tensions are being escorted to safety across the Armenian border by officials of the Nigerian embassy in Tehran.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement shared on X, the commission said the evacuation arrangement was put in place to guarantee a safe and organised passage for Nigerian citizens seeking to exit the country as security concerns rise in parts of the Middle East.
According to the commission, embassy officials are accompanying the citizens to the border while working closely with Armenian authorities to ensure the evacuation process is smooth and secure. Government representatives have also been stationed at the border to receive the evacuees and assist them with the necessary arrangements once they cross into Armenia.
NIDCOM noted that no Nigerian in Iran has been reported injured or directly affected by the ongoing hostilities so far. The commission added that the federal government remains alert and is closely monitoring the situation to safeguard the welfare of Nigerians living abroad.
The development comes amid escalating tensions in the region. In the United Arab Emirates, authorities confirmed that at least 122 people were injured after Iranian ballistic missiles were intercepted. Among those injured is at least one Nigerian citizen. However, officials of the UAE Ministry of Defence have not released a detailed breakdown of the nationalities involved.
The exact number of Nigerians currently residing in Iran or in other Middle Eastern countries affected by the crisis remains unclear. Some Nigerians living in Gulf states have reportedly urged the Nigerian government to prepare evacuation flights in case the situation deteriorates further.
Earlier, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of NIDCOM, said the federal government is ready to commence the repatriation of stranded Nigerians from the Middle East once airspace restrictions are lifted and flights can safely operate.
The commission has also circulated emergency contact lines for Nigerians in the affected areas, urging them to reach out to Nigerian diplomatic missions for assistance if necessary.
