L-R: Mr Festus Keyamo, Aviation & Aerospace Development Minister and Amb Yusuf M. Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs
About 500 Nigerians have registered with the Nigerian Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon for evacuation as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensifies.
However, it is estimated that more than 2,000 Nigerians reside in Lebanon, many of whom remain reluctant to return home despite ongoing efforts by the embassy to persuade them to leave.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Eche Abu-Obe, stated this in a statement on Saturday.
“Presently, about 500 Nigerians have registered with the mission, however, there are more than 2,000 Nigerian citizens residing in the country.
“Even though most of them have not indicated a willingness to return home despite the persuasion by our embassy, we will continue to do everything to ensure the safety of our citizens,” it read in part.
The statement noted that the Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu, has activated emergency evacuation protocols in response to the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency, Department of State Services, and other relevant agencies, is coordinating the evacuation process.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Presidency, National Emergency Management Agency, Department of State Services, National Intelligence Agency, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, and other relevant bodies, is coordinating the evacuation exercise to ensure the safe return of Nigerians from Lebanon.
“Our Embassy in Beirut has been issuing several advisories since the conflict started for our citizens to stay indoors and follow local authorities’ instructions as well as appeal to those who have not registered with the Embassy, to do so through Email: info@mfa.gov.ng,” the statement added.
Plans are underway to deploy a C-130 aircraft or any other available flight to transport Nigerians back home safely.
For further details on this information, you may wish to click the link below-:
About Post Author
