The Nigerian government has refuted claims circulating on social media that Nigerian citizens have been abandoned in Iran as regional tensions escalate between Iran and Israel.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, in a statement released Saturday in Abuja by the Ministry's spokesperson, Mr. Kimiebi Ebienfa, described these reports as "misleading," "untruthful" and "not founded."
Embassy Remains Operational Despite Challenges
Tuggar emphasized that the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran remains open and fully committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of Nigerian citizens residing in Iran. He clarified that while normal embassy operations have been impaired due to security threats and bombings in Tehran, staff continue to work remotely to provide necessary support services.
"The ministry remains vigilant in monitoring the situation and will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard the interests of Nigerians worldwide," the statement concluded.
Contingency Plans in Place
The minister also revealed that the embassy is in communication with the Armenian government to arrange potential evacuation options through Yerevan for Nigerians, should the current situation deteriorate further.
Nigerian citizens in Iran have been advised to maintain contact with assigned community coordinators, regularly check for updates on the Iranian messaging app Eitaa, and reach out to the embassy through official emergency numbers and email addresses that have been shared by embassy officials.
The clarification comes amid growing concerns over the safety of foreign nationals in Iran following recent escalations in the Middle East conflict, including reported US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and heightened tensions between Iran and Israel.
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