Abuja, Nigeria – Sequel to the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the federal government of Nigeria says it has commenced evacuation procedures of Nigerians from Lebanon. The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated this in a statement in Abuja, the capital city of the country.
The statement which was released by the ministry’s spokesman Eche Abu-Obe said on Saturday, revealed that the federal government has activated emergency protocols to ensure the swift and safe evacuation of Nigerians from Lebanon in light of the Asian country deteriorating security situation. It explained that ministry is working with the president, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, and other relevant bodies to ensure their safe return from Lebanon.
Acording to the statement, some Nigerians have indicated interest in being evacuated while a good number of them are unwilling to do so. “Presently, about 500 Nigerians have registered with the Mission, however, there are more than 2000 Nigeria citizens residing in the country. Even though most of them have not indicated a willingness to return home in spite of the persuasion by our Embassy, we will continue to do everything to ensure the safety of our citizens,” it read.
The Ministry announced that no Nigerian lives have been lost in the conflict. It added that, in recognition of the remarkable efforts of the Embassy, in collaboration with the leadership of the Nigerian community, to evacuate Nigerians from Southern Lebanon—the conflict’s epicenter—to Beirut, the President Bola Tinubu will send a C-130 aircraft or any other available flight for the evacuation.
