Nigerians stranded in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran have appealed for immediate government intervention as they remain trapped in underground shelters during escalating missile exchanges.
With over 264 people reported dead including 70 women and children the crisis continues to intensify, prompting many foreign governments to evacuate their citizens. In contrast, Nigerian citizens in both countries say they are yet to receive meaningful support.
The Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that arrangements have been made to evacuate more than 1,000 citizens but confirmed that final border clearance is still awaited.
The conflict began when Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, targeting key Iranian nuclear and military facilities. Missiles struck residential areas in Tehran, including Shahrak-e-Mahallati, home to top commanders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Among those killed were senior officials, including General Mohammad Bagheri and IRGC commander Hossein Salami.
In retaliation, Iran launched over 100 ballistic missiles at Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv where the Nigerian embassy is located. The bombardment has forced most residents, including Nigerians, into emergency shelters.
Nigerians in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem reported fleeing into bomb shelters. Ekene Abaka, a Nigerian resident of Tel Aviv, shared that he was taking cover in a military bunker and could not respond to phone calls.
Another Nigerian, a software engineer in Jerusalem, stated: “Most Nigerians live in Tel Aviv, which is the epicenter of the attacks. The Nigerian embassy is shut down, and we have been left to fend for ourselves.”
A video posted on Facebook by Travels Vlog showed Nigerians rushing into shelters after Israeli sirens warned of incoming missiles.
“Everyone is running. I didn’t grab my water!” cried one resident as they searched frantically for an unlocked shelter.
Travels Vlog host, Solomon, explained that alerts are sent out via text message about ten minutes before a missile hits, followed by a loud siren. “That’s when panic begins,” he said.
Many nations have already evacuated their citizens. The Czech Republic and Slovakia repatriated 181 people via government aircraft. Greece used Egypt as a transit hub to evacuate 105 nationals, while China rescued more than 1,600 citizens from Iran alone.
Despite similar threats, the Nigerian government has not yet evacuated any citizens. Hope Omobeauty, a Nigerian featured on Travels Vlog, said: “I have people in Israel trying to leave, but they’re trapped. There’s no way out.”
The Israeli government has suspended all public and private activity, including education and markets, until further notice. This has worsened conditions for Nigerians, many of whom work hourly jobs and face high rent costs.
“We pay rent monthly and earn per hour. Now everything is shut down. We have no income and no help from the embassy,” said a Nigerian in Tel Aviv.
He added that the embassy’s focus is limited to visas and documentation, offering no welfare assistance.
In Iran, nearly 1,000 Nigerians remain stranded. The Nigerian Embassy in Tehran has arranged buses to transport citizens to Armenia for airlifting to Nigeria. However, entry approval from Armenia is still pending.
Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said embassy officials are coordinating with Armenian authorities and updating evacuee lists to ensure a smooth crossing.
“We’ve secured buses and planned evacuation through Armenia. But final permission is required before movement can begin,” Ebienfa confirmed.
He urged Nigerians to avoid protests, stay in safe areas, and remain alert for evacuation messages.
