Nigeria Issues Emergency Contacts for Citizens in Middle East

On Saturday, March 3, 2023, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, released emergency contact details for Nigerian diplomatic missions in ten countries across the Middle East. This initiative aims to assist Nigerian citizens affected by the escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, which intensified following the joint airstrikes that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28, 2023.

The Nigerian government had previously issued an advisory urging citizens to establish communication with relevant diplomatic missions due to security concerns. Additionally, the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, led by Abdur Rahman Balogun, clarified the statement issued from Abuja, emphasizing the importance of these contacts for Nigerians traveling in the region.

Earlier in the month, Nigerian authorities suspended pilgrimages to Israel and the occupied West Bank due to security concerns linked to the ongoing conflict.