About 500 Nigerians have registered with the Nigerian Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon for evacuation as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensifies.
However, it is estimated that more than 2,000 Nigerians reside in Lebanon, many of whom remain reluctant to return home despite ongoing efforts by the embassy to persuade them to leave.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Eche Abu-Obe, stated this in a statement on Saturday.
“Presently, about 500 Nigerians have registered with the mission, however, there are more than 2,000 Nigerian citizens residing in the country.
“Even though most of them have not indicated a willingness to return home despite the persuasion by our embassy, we will continue to do everything to ensure the safety of our citizens,” it read in part.
The statement noted that the Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu, has activated emergency evacuation protocols in response to the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency, Department of State Services, and other relevant agencies, is coordinating the evacuation process.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Presidency, National Emergency Management Agency, Department of State Services, National Intelligence Agency, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, and other relevant bodies, is coordinating the evacuation exercise to ensure the safe return of Nigerians from Lebanon.
“Our Embassy in Beirut has been issuing several advisories since the conflict started for our citizens to stay indoors and follow local authorities’ instructions as well as appeal to those who have not registered with the Embassy, to do so through Email: [email protected].,” the statement added.
Plans are underway to deploy a C-130 aircraft or any other available flight to safely transport Nigerians back home.
So far, no Nigerian lives have been lost in the conflict, and the embassy has been working closely with community leaders to relocate citizens from southern Lebanon, the epicenter of the clashes, to the relatively safer capital, Beirut.
The MFA has urged all Nigerians living in Lebanon to cooperate with the evacuation, warning that the conflict may escalate further.
“The Ministry is pleased to report that no life has been lost. In view of the commendable efforts made by the Embassy, working in concert with the leadership of the Nigerian community to evacuate fellow Nigerians from southern Lebanon the epicenter of the conflict to Beirut, the Administration of President Tinubu is making arrangements to send a C-130 Aircraft or any other available flight for the evacuation exercise,” the statement revealed.
Officials have expressed concern over the hesitance of some citizens to leave but reassured that the government will continue to ensure their safety.
“The safety and well-being of its citizens remains its top priority,” said the ministry’s spokesperson, adding that the government remains grateful to the international community for their support during this critical period.
Iran, on Tuesday, launched a barrage of missiles at Israel in response to the killings of Iran-backed militant leaders, sending Israelis to shelters and prompting alarm across the region.
According to The Times of Israel, the Israel Defence Forces said it intercepted the 180 ballistic missiles launched by Iran at Israel on Tuesday evening.
In a message on X.com on Tuesday evening, the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, through his handle, @DOlusegun, said: “Alert! All Nigerians in Lebanon are expected to get in touch with the Nigerian mission for profiling and documentation and subsequent evacuation.”
