Only 500 out of over 2,000 Nigerians living in Lebanon have registered with the Nigerian Embassy in Beirut for evacuation as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalates.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Saturday, October 5, said despite the embassy’s efforts to encourage them to return home, many Nigerians remain hesitant to leave.
“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.
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.
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 C-130 Aircraft or any other available flight for the evacuation exercise,” the statement reads.
