The Federal Government (FG) has activated emergency protocols for evacuating Nigerians living in Lebanon over the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
The FG through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja made this known on Saturday night in a circular No: MFA/PR/2024/17 signed by its spokesperson, Amb. Eche Abu-Obe and posted on its official X account.
“Further to the last statement issued on the evacuation of Nigerians from Lebanon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to elucidate on the information contained therein,” Abu-Obe said.
“In this connection, the Federal Government (FG) has commenced evacuation procedures for Nigerian citizens living in Lebanon following the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
“The administration of President Bola Tinubu wishes to reiterate that the safety and wellbeing of its citizens remains its top priority.
“In the light of the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon, the FG has activated emergency protocols to ensure the swift and safe evacuation of our citizens back home as soon as possible.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Presidency, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and other relevant bodies is coordinating the evacuation exercise to ensure the safe return of Nigerians from Lebanon.
According to the ministry, the Nigerian embassy in Beirut has been issuing several advisories since the conflict started for its citizens to stay indoors and follow local authorities’ instruction as well as appeal to those who have not registered with the embassy, to do so through Email: info@mfa.gov.ng.
Presently, about 500 Nigerians have reportedly registered with the mission, however, there are more than 2,000 Nigerian citizens residing in Lebanon, meaning no fewer than 1,500 are yet to register.
“Even though most of them have not indicated willingness to return home in spite of the persuasion by our embassy, we will continue to do everything to ensure the safety of our citizens,” Abu-Obe explained.
“The ministry is pleased to report that no life has been lost. In view of the commendable efforts made by the embassy, working in concert with the leadership of the Nigerian community to evacuate fellow Nigerians from southern Lebanon, the epicenter of the conflict to Beirut, the administration of President Tinubu is making arrangements to send a C130 Aircraft or any other available flight for the evacuation exercise.
“The Nigerian government urges all citizens living In Lebanon not to resist evacuation because the ongoing conflict may escalate and appeals for co-operation with the evacuation process and follow safety guidelines.
“Nigeria appreciates the understanding of the international community and will continue to monitor the situation,” Abu-Obe concluded.
Meanwhile, the Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar also attended the meeting where the concerned authorities spoke about evacuating Nigerians living in Lebanon.
“I joined other heads of relevant agencies in a Coordination Forum meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Lebanon issue,” Umar wrote in a post she shared on her official X account.
“We focused on finalizing and activating emergency protocols for the evacuation of Nigerian nationals living in Lebanon.”
