The Federal Government has commenced the evacuation of Nigerians who wish to leave Iran, escorting them across the Armenian border to ensure their safety as tension continues to escalate in the Middle East.
The development was disclosed on Tuesday by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in a post shared on her X handle.
According to her, officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran are coordinating the evacuation process and assisting Nigerians willing to depart the country.
The evacuees are being escorted to the Armenian border where arrangements have been made to facilitate their safe passage.
The evacuation comes amid growing concerns over the security situation in the region following a series of coordinated military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel on February 28.
The strikes reportedly triggered retaliatory missile and drone attacks across parts of the Middle East, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
Despite the rising tension, Dabiri-Erewa reassured that no Nigerian in Iran has been affected by the ongoing hostilities.
She also noted that embassy officials remain stationed at the border to receive and assist Nigerians who decide to leave the country.
“Willing Nigerians being escorted across the Armenian border by officials of the Nigerian embassy in Iran for safe passage. No Nigerian in Iran has been affected by the war as officials remain at the border to receive all who want to leave,” she wrote.
This comes due to the ongoing military strikes between U.S, Israel and Iran.