More than 500 Nigerians have signed up with the Nigerian Embassy in Beirut for evacuation as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah escalate.
However, it is estimated that over 2,000 Nigerians currently reside in Lebanon, with many hesitant to return home despite the embassy’s ongoing efforts to encourage their departure.
Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shared this information in a statement released on Saturday. “Currently, approximately 500 Nigerians have registered with our mission, but more than 2,000 Nigerian citizens are living in Lebanon. Although many have not expressed a willingness to return, we will continue to do everything possible to ensure their safety,” the statement noted.
The Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, has initiated emergency evacuation protocols in response to the worsening security situation in Lebanon. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant agencies to facilitate the evacuation process.
The ministry emphasized that its collaboration with various government bodies, including the National Intelligence Agency, the Nigerian Immigration Service, and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, is aimed at ensuring the safe return of Nigerians from Lebanon.
In light of the conflict, the Embassy in Beirut has issued multiple advisories urging citizens to remain indoors and adhere to local authorities’ instructions. They also encouraged those who have not yet registered with the Embassy to do so via email at info@mfa.gov.ng.
Plans are underway to deploy a C-130 aircraft or other available flights to transport Nigerians safely back home. Fortunately, no Nigerian casualties have been reported in the ongoing conflict, and the embassy is actively collaborating with community leaders to relocate citizens from southern Lebanon, which is the center of the clashes, to the relatively safer capital, Beirut.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged all Nigerians in Lebanon to cooperate with the evacuation efforts, cautioning that the situation may further deteriorate. “We are pleased to report that no lives have been lost. Thanks to the commendable efforts of the Embassy and Nigerian community leaders, we are working to evacuate fellow Nigerians from southern Lebanon to Beirut. The administration of President Tinubu is arranging to send a C-130 aircraft or any other available flight for this evacuation exercise,” the statement said.
While officials have expressed concern regarding the reluctance of some citizens to leave, they assured that the government is committed to ensuring their safety. The ministry’s spokesperson reiterated that the safety and well-being of its citizens remain the top priority and expressed gratitude to the international community for their support during this critical time.
In related news, Iran launched a series of missile strikes against Israel on Tuesday in retaliation for the killings of Iran-backed militant leaders, causing panic across the region. The Israel Defense Forces reported intercepting 180 ballistic missiles aimed at Israel on the same evening.
Dada Olusegun, the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, urged all Nigerians in Lebanon to contact the Nigerian mission for profiling, documentation, and subsequent evacuation via a post on X.com.
