The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to evacuate its citizens from Lebanon due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
This decision comes as the security situation in Lebanon continues to deteriorate, prompting urgent action to ensure the safety of Nigerians residing there.
In a statement on Saturday, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted the mixed responses from Nigerians in Lebanon regarding the evacuation.
“While some Nigerians have indicated interest in being evacuated, a good number of them are unwilling to do so,” said Eche Abu-Obe, the ministry’s spokesman.
The Nigerian government has activated emergency protocols to facilitate the swift and safe return of its citizens.
Abu-Obe emphasized, “In the light of the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon, the Government has activated emergency protocols to ensure the swift and safe evacuation of our citizens back home as soon as possible.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with several key agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency, the Nigerian Immigration Service, and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, to manage the evacuation process. The collaboration aims to ensure a seamless and secure return for Nigerians.
Currently, around 500 Nigerians have registered with the Nigerian Mission in Lebanon.
However, there are over 2,000 Nigerian citizens in the country. Despite efforts by the Nigerian Embassy to persuade more citizens to register for evacuation, many remain reluctant.
“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,” the statement read.
The Ministry reported that no Nigerian lives have been lost in the conflict so far.
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The Explainer gathered that the Embassy, in collaboration with the leadership of the Nigerian community in Lebanon, has successfully moved Nigerians from Southern Lebanon, the epicenter of the conflict, to Beirut.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is making arrangements to send a C-130 Aircraft or any other available flight for the evacuation exercise.
The Nigerian government has urged all citizens in Lebanon to cooperate with the evacuation process and follow safety guidelines.
