A recent report has revealed that the Federal Government’s attempts to evacuate Nigerians from Lebanon have encountered significant delays.
Initially, an evacuation plan was announced, but many Nigerians remain stranded in the crisis-stricken nation.
These evacuation efforts were prompted by escalating tensions in the Middle East following Iran’s missile strikes on Israel on October 1, 2024.
However, a report by Punch highlights that low registration numbers and reluctance among Nigerians in Lebanon have hindered the process.
The crisis began when Iran launched 180 ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Iranian-backed militant leaders. This missile attack targeted critical sites, causing widespread panic and prompting many Israelis to seek shelter, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
While the Israeli Defense Forces intercepted many of the missiles, the incident further destabilized the region, including Lebanon, which faces its own security issues.
In light of these developments, the Federal Government activated emergency evacuation protocols, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs leading the coordination alongside the National Emergency Management Agency, the Department of State Services, and other essential agencies.
These organizations collaborated with the Nigerian mission in Lebanon to facilitate the safe return of citizens who expressed a desire to be evacuated.
When asked about the likelihood of evacuating Nigerians from Lebanon, despite the recent decrease in tensions, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb Eche Abu-Obe, indicated that the “situation is under observation.”
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