- The Federal Government in a statement on Sunday said it was worried that Nigerians in the beleaguered and conflict-ravaged middle east country are unwilling to come home
Despite the intensifying conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, many Nigerians in Lebanon are reluctant to return home, the Nigerian government has disclosed.
The Federal Government in a statement on Sunday said it was worried that Nigerians in the beleaguered and conflict-ravaged middle east country are unwilling to come home.
Only about 500 Nigerians have registered for evacuation, though over 2,000 are currently residing in Lebanon, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in the statement.
“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,” Abu-Obe stated.
The ministry stressed the importance of cooperation with the evacuation process and implored Nigerians in Lebanon not to resist evacuation as the conflict could further worsen.
The government has activated emergency protocols to prioritise the safety of its citizens, collaborating with various agencies including the National Emergency Management Agency, the Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Immigration Service, to ensure a smooth evacuation process.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed that the Nigerian Embassy in Beirut has been actively advising Nigerians to stay indoors and follow local authorities’ instructions.
It also encouraged those who have not registered with the embassy to do so immediately via the provided email address.
The statement added that no Nigerian lives have been lost in the conflict so far. Arrangements are being made to send a C-130 aircraft or other available flights to facilitate the evacuation from Beirut, where many Nigerians have relocated from southern Lebanon—the epicentre of the conflict.
The Nigerian government extended its appreciation to the international community for their understanding and vowed to continue monitoring the situation closely