ABUJA, Nigeria—The Nigerian government has commenced the emergency evacuation of its citizens from Iran as the security situation in the region deteriorates following intensified airstrikes.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) confirmed on Tuesday that while the conflict has severely impacted major cities, including the capital Tehran, no Nigerian nationals have been reported as casualties so far.
Safe Passage via Armenia
Officials from the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran are currently escorting citizens to the border with Armenia. NiDCOM stated that a reception team has been stationed at the border to assist evacuees and ensure “smooth and secure passage” out of the country.
“Nigerians who wish to leave Iran are being safely escorted across the Armenian border… ensuring a passage for those wishing to depart,” the Commission said in an official statement.
The government has not yet provided specific figures regarding the number of Nigerians currently residing in Iran or the total number of people who have successfully crossed the border.
Regional Exodus
The move comes as several African nations scramble to repatriate their nationals from across the Middle East. On Monday, the first group of Tanzanian citizens arrived at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam after being evacuated from the United Arab Emirates.
The humanitarian toll of the conflict continues to rise. Iranian authorities claim the war has killed more than 1,255 people and injured approximately 10,000 others.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it is continuing to monitor the situation closely, advising any citizens remaining in the region to maintain contact with the nearest diplomatic mission.
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