photo credit: AFP
By Olivia Samuel, The Sight News
Following the deteriorating situation in Lebanon over the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, the Nigerian government has urged all its citizens living In Lebanon not to resist evacuation.
This is just as the government noted that the ongoing conflict may escalate and appealed for cooperation with the evacuation process and to follow safety guidelines.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Spokesperson, Amb. Eche Abu-Obe who made this known in a statement over the weekend, explained that although the Nigerian Embassy in Beirut has been issuing several advisories since the conflict started for 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, only about 500 Nigerians have registered with the Mission.
He, however, disclosed that there are more than 2000 Nigeria citizens residing in the country, adding that even though most of them have not indicated willingness to return home in spite of the persuasion by the embassy, it will continue to do everything to ensure the safety of its citizens.
He announced that the Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced evacuation procedures for Nigerian citizens living in Lebanon.
In his words, “The Administration of H.E Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, wishes to reiterate that the safety and wellbeing of its citizens remains its top priority. In the light of the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon, the Government has activated emergency protocols to ensure the swift and safe evacuation of our citizens back home as soon as possible.
“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.
“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”, he said.
He added that Nigeria appreciates the understanding of the international community and will continue to monitor the situation.
