The Nigerian government has begun evacuating its citizens from Iran, escorting those willing to leave across the Armenia border as the conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran intensifies.
Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, disclosed the development in a post on Tuesday, explaining that officials of the Nigerian embassy in Iran are accompanying citizens to ensure their safe passage out of the country.
According to her, Nigerian officials are already stationed at the border to receive evacuees arriving from Iran.
“Willing Nigerians are being escorted across the Armenian border by officials of the Nigerian embassy in Iran for safe passage,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
She also reassured Nigerians that no casualties involving Nigerian citizens have been recorded since the outbreak of hostilities.
“Officials remain at the border to receive those leaving the country, and no Nigerian in Iran has so far been affected by the war,” she added.
However, the NiDCOM boss did not disclose the exact number of Nigerians currently residing in Iran or how many have been evacuated since the operation began.
The evacuation comes 11 days into the war between Israel and Iran, which has left more than 1,300 people dead and thousands injured.
Iran’s Ministry of Health said US and Israeli strikes have killed more than 1,300 people, with over 12,000 others injured across the country. The victims reportedly range in age from eight months to 88 years old.
Iranian authorities also said about 200 women were among those killed, including 168 elementary school girls from Minab. Additionally, 55 healthcare workers have been wounded and 11 killed, including four physicians, two nurses, and three emergency responders.
On the Israeli side, the country’s health ministry reported that at least 13 people have been killed and 1,929 injured following Iranian missile attacks since the conflict began.
The violence has also spread across the region. In Lebanon, authorities reported 394 deaths, including 83 children, due to Israeli attacks, while more than 500,000 people have been displaced during clashes between Israel and Hezbollah.
Speaking on Monday, Donald Trump said the war with Iran could end “very soon,” though he suggested it was unlikely to happen within the week.
However, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) rejected the claim, insisting that the outcome of the conflict would be determined by Iranians, not the United States.
Meanwhile, Nigerian authorities say efforts will continue to ensure the safe evacuation of citizens who wish to leave Iran as the conflict unfolds.