As the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, hundreds of Nigerian citizens remain trapped in underground shelters, pleading for urgent evacuation amid heavy missile bombardments and the closure of diplomatic services in affected cities.
Since Israel launched Operation Rising Lion—an aggressive military campaign targeting suspected Iranian nuclear and military facilities—on June 13, violence has escalated rapidly.
The retaliatory missile attacks from Iran have left both countries in turmoil, with over 264 reported deaths, including high-ranking Iranian officials and dozens of civilians.
Among the casualties were General Mohammad Bagheri and IRGC commander Hossein Salami, following targeted airstrikes in Tehran’s Shahrak-e-Mahallati district and other cities.
Amid this chaos, the Nigerian community in Israel, particularly in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, has found itself in a desperate situation. Most have sought refuge in underground bomb shelters provided by Israeli authorities as missiles rain down on populated areas.
The Nigerian embassy in Tel Aviv has reportedly shut down operations, leaving citizens without direct support.
Eyewitness accounts describe frantic scenes of Nigerians running to shelters after receiving government alerts of incoming missile strikes.
A video shared by the Facebook page Travels Vlog showed panicked Nigerians seeking refuge, some of whom were unable to access locked shelters and had to scramble to other locations under the night sky.
Despite the ongoing threat, no Nigerian casualties have been reported. However, the stranded citizens have criticised the Federal Government for its slow response compared to other nations that have already begun large-scale evacuations.
Countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Greece, and Germany have successfully repatriated hundreds of their nationals through coordinated air, sea, and land efforts.
China evacuated over 1,600 citizens from Iran alone, while the United States announced plans to evacuate its citizens using both air and sea routes.
In contrast, Nigeria’s evacuation plans remain stalled. The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that it is awaiting final border clearance from Armenia to begin moving over 1,000 citizens currently stranded in Iran.
Officials have secured bus transport to Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, where citizens are to be airlifted to Nigeria. However, Armenian authorities are yet to grant approval for border passage.
Spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa stated that the Nigerian embassy in Tehran has completed necessary logistics and is actively coordinating with Armenian officials and Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure a smooth and safe crossing for evacuees.
“We are waiting for permission from the transit country before moving citizens from identified evacuation points,” Ebienfa noted. “We’ve submitted updated evacuee lists to Iranian authorities to facilitate a smooth process.”
Meanwhile, those stranded continue to face worsening conditions. Business closures in Israel have crippled the livelihoods of Nigerian residents, many of whom depend on hourly wages.
Schools, religious centres, and markets have all been shut down, leaving families without income or access to essential services.
A Nigerian software engineer based in Jerusalem highlighted the economic toll, expressing concern over how families would pay rent or feed their children if the conflict continues.
He also criticised the embassy’s lack of support, stating that its role has been limited to issuing visas and handling official diplomatic duties, with no welfare services extended to citizens in distress.
The Federal Government has advised Nigerians in both Israel and Iran to remain indoors, avoid demonstrations, and stay alert for further evacuation instructions.
For now, the fate of stranded Nigerians hangs in the balance, as bureaucratic delays and the unpredictable nature of the war hinder swift repatriation.
