Nigeria calls on unregistered citizens in Lebanon, as evacuation begins
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that over 500 Nigerian citizens have registered with the Nigerian mission in Lebanon for evacuation back to the country.
Amb. Eche Abu-Obe, the ministry’s spokesperson, disclosed this in Abuja on Sunday.
He said approximately 2,000 Nigerian citizens reside in Lebanon, although most have not expressed willingness to return home in spite of persuasion from the mission.
Abu-Obe stated that the federal government had initiated evacuation procedures due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
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“President Bola Tinubu’s administration prioritises the safety and well-being of Nigerian citizens, and emergency protocols have been activated to ensure their swift and safe evacuation.
“The ministry is collaborating with relevant agencies, including the Presidency, National Emergency Management Agency, and Nigerian Immigration Service, to coordinate the evacuation exercise.
“The Nigerian Embassy in Beirut has issued advisories urging citizens to stay indoors and follow local authorities’ instructions.”
Abu-Obe appealed to unregistered citizens to contact the embassy via email (info@mfa.gov.ng) and warned against resisting evacuation due to the escalating conflict.
The situation involving Israel’s military actions in Lebanon has escalated recently, particularly as tensions have risen along the border. The Israeli military has been actively targeting positions associated with Hezbollah, a militant group based in Lebanon. This escalation is part of a broader conflict that has seen increased hostilities between Israel and various groups in the region.
On September 28, 2024, reports indicated that large explosions were heard in southern Beirut as Israeli forces conducted strikes against Hezbollah positions. These attacks were characterized by significant explosions and were part of a series of military operations aimed at neutralizing perceived threats from Hezbollah. The Israeli military’s actions followed a pattern of retaliatory strikes in response to rocket fire directed at Israeli territory from Lebanon.
