The Federal Government has stated that no Nigerian lives have been lost in Lebanon, despite the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
As Israeli strikes intensify, the Nigerian government has initiated plans to evacuate its citizens from Lebanon. This was disclosed in a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, on Saturday. According to the statement, the Nigerian Embassy in Lebanon is actively working to safeguard its nationals.
“The Federal Government has begun preparations to evacuate its citizens from Lebanon,” the statement reads, emphasizing that no Nigerian life has been lost since the conflict began.
The government reaffirmed its efforts to monitor the situation and ensure the well-being of Nigerians in the conflict zones. The embassy had already advised Nigerians in Lebanon, as early as August 2024, to voluntarily leave, while commercial flights were still operational.
Additionally, Nigerians in southern Lebanon, one of the most dangerous areas, have been relocated to safer regions like Beirut, with the help of local community leaders.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured Nigerians that the Federal Government is committed to the protection and safety of its nationals and is actively preparing for their evacuation.
In recent days, violence has sharply escalated with Israeli forces conducting significant strikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, as ground troops carried out raids near the border, transforming nearly a year of cross-border skirmishes into full-scale war.
This escalation has included Israel’s strikes in northern Lebanon’s Tripoli region, where a Palestinian militant commander, Saeed Attallah Ali, along with his wife and daughters, were killed in the Beddawi refugee camp.
With increasing tensions, the Federal Government remains engaged with relevant stakeholders, focusing on the safety of Nigerians in the affected areas.
