The Federal Government of Nigeria has begun evacuating willing Nigerians from Iran, escorting them across the Armenia border to ensure their safety amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The move follows the ongoing crisis triggered by US and Israeli military strikes on Iran on February 28, which sparked retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the region, raising fears of a wider conflict.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, confirmed the evacuation in a post on her X account on Tuesday.
She said officials from the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran are coordinating the safe passage of Nigerians wishing to leave Iran and assisting them as they cross into Armenia.
“No Nigerian in Iran has been affected by the ongoing tensions,” Dabiri-Erewa added, noting that embassy officials remain stationed at the border to receive and assist evacuees.
Her post read: “Willing Nigerians are being escorted across the Armenian border by officials of the Nigerian embassy in Iran for safe passage. No Nigerian in Iran has been affected by the war as officials remain at the border to receive all who want to leave.”
Regarding repatriation flights, Dabiri-Erewa said the airspace remains unsafe due to the conflict but assured Nigerians that a multi-agency federal government team is on standby to facilitate evacuation once flights can safely operate.
She added: “A flight from the UAE to Lagos arrived two days ago, just before another strike and the closure of the airspace. Once the skies reopen, the FG team on crisis and evacuation is ready. Our prayers are with all Nigerians in affected countries.”
