The Federal Government has reported that many Nigerians living in Lebanon are hesitant to return home despite the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
This alarming situation was shared by Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement released on Saturday.
Currently, about 500 Nigerians have registered with the Nigerian Mission in Lebanon.
However, there are more than 2,000 Nigerians residing in the country, and many have not shown any willingness to leave.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working hard to evacuate its citizens from Lebanon.
Ambassador Abu-Obe urged Nigerians to cooperate with the evacuation efforts.
He stated, “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.”
The ongoing conflict has raised significant concerns about the safety of Nigerians in Lebanon.
The Nigerian government is concerned about the potential escalation of the conflict and is urging citizens to follow safety guidelines.
The ministry has emphasized the importance of cooperating with the evacuation process.
They warned that the ongoing conflict could worsen, making it more dangerous for those who choose to remain.
“The Nigerian government urges all citizens living in Lebanon not to resist evacuation,” the statement read.
The government is committed to monitoring the situation and will take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of its citizens.
They are working with various agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency and the Department of State Services, to coordinate evacuation efforts.
“The safety and well-being of our citizens remains our top priority,” said Abu-Obe.
The government’s response reflects its commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad.
The conflict in Lebanon, involving Israel and Hezbollah, has resulted in significant instability in the region.
Since the outbreak of hostilities, many foreign governments have taken measures to evacuate their citizens.
The Gederal Government has activated emergency protocols to facilitate a swift and safe return for its nationals.
As tensions rise, the Nigerian Embassy in Beirut has been issuing advisories for citizens to stay indoors and follow local authorities’ instructions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that no Nigerian lives have been lost due to the ongoing conflict.
This is a relief to many families back home who are worried about their loved ones abroad.
The embassy has been actively engaged with the Nigerian community in Lebanon to provide support and assistance during this difficult time.
To ensure a smooth evacuation process, the government is making arrangements to send a C-130 aircraft or other available flights to Lebanon.
This initiative will help facilitate the safe return of Nigerians who wish to leave the country.
“Working in concert with the leadership of the Nigerian community, we are focused on evacuating fellow Nigerians from southern Lebanon, the epicenter of the conflict, to Beirut,” Abu-Obe stated.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also appealed to Nigerians in Lebanon who have not yet registered with the embassy to do so.
Those wishing to register can do so via email: [email protected].
The embassy is working tirelessly to ensure that all Nigerians are accounted for and that those who wish to return home can do so safely.
