By Achile Danjuma
The Federal Government has commenced the evacuation of Nigerian citizens willing to leave Iran, escorting them across the border into Armenia to ensure their safety as hostilities intensify in the Middle East.
The operation comes in response to the escalating crisis that began on February 28, following coordinated military strikes against Iran by the United States and Israel. The attacks prompted retaliatory missile and drone strikes across the region, raising fears of a broader conflict.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), announced the development in a post on her X handle on Tuesday.
According to Dabiri-Erewa, officials from the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran are coordinating the evacuation for those who wish to depart and are facilitating their safe passage into Armenia.
She further assured that no Nigerian citizen in Iran has been affected by the ongoing hostilities so far. Embassy personnel remain stationed at the border to receive and assist evacuees.
“Willing Nigerians are being escorted across the Armenian border by officials of the Nigerian embassy in Iran for safe passage,” her post read. “No Nigerian in Iran has been affected by the war, as officials remain at the border to receive all who want to leave.”
The evacuation effort comes as tensions across parts of the Middle East continue to heighten concerns for the safety of foreign nationals in conflict-affected areas.