Manny Ita –
The Nigerian government has initiated the evacuation of its citizens from Iran as the military conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran continues to intensify. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), confirmed on Tuesday that Nigerians willing to depart are being escorted by embassy officials to the Armenian border for safe passage. While the exact number of evacuees remains unspecified, Dabiri-Erewa assured that no Nigerian casualties have been recorded since the hostilities began.
“Willing Nigerians are being escorted across the Armenian border by officials of the Nigerian embassy in Iran for safe passage,” the NiDCOM boss stated. She further emphasized the safety of the community, noting, “No Nigerian in Iran has been affected by the war as officials remain at the border to receive all who want to leave.”
The evacuation enters its 11th day against a backdrop of significant regional casualties. Data from the Iranian Ministry of Health indicates that over 1,300 people have been killed and 12,000 injured by U.S. and Israeli strikes, with victims ranging from infants to the elderly. Included in the toll are 168 elementary school girls from Minab and 11 healthcare workers. Conversely, Israel’s health ministry has reported 13 deaths and nearly 2,000 injuries resulting from Iranian fire, while Lebanon has reported 394 deaths and the displacement of over half a million people due to fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
Diplomatic tensions remain high despite a statement from U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday suggesting the war would be over “very soon,” though he clarified it would not conclude within the week. This assessment was met with defiance from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), who countered that Iranians would “determine the end of the war.” Furthermore, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei ruled out immediate ceasefire negotiations during a news conference, stating, “We are on the eleventh day of military aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime. We did not start this war.”
