Iran War: FG Tells Stranded Nigerians in Middle East When They'll Be Evacuated
- The federal government has assured Nigerians stranded in Qatar and other Middle East countries that evacuation would begin once airspace became safe
- The assurance was given by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, following appeals from Nigerians unable to leave due to regional tensions
- Authorities said evacuation plans were on standby, pending clearance of airspace affected by the Iran-United States conflict
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The Federal Government has assured Nigerians stranded in Qatar and across the Middle East that they will be evacuated once regional airspace becomes safe for flights.
The reassurance came in response to social media pleas from citizens stuck abroad due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and United States that has disrupted commercial travel in the region.
Source: Twitter
The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, responded to a request for help by Nigerians in Doha, saying evacuation plans hinge on when the skies are declared safe for flights again.
She acknowledged the volatile situation and explained that ongoing strikes have forced closures of airspace over parts of the Gulf, preventing immediate repatriation.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that one flight from the Etihad Airways hub in the United Arab Emirates recently reached Lagos just before a renewed closure of the skies, TheCable reported.
The government’s crisis response team remains on standby to organise evacuation once authorities clear air corridors for travel.
She urged Nigerians in affected countries to stay in contact with the commission’s emergency lines and maintain communication with embassy officials while waiting for improvements in the security situation.
Regional flight restrictions were imposed after missile exchanges and military activity forced several Gulf states to suspend air travel, leaving many foreign nationals, including Nigerians, unable to leave.
Aviation authorities will need assurances of safety before wider repatriation flights can resume.
Nigerian lady cries out from Doha as flights halt
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a Nigerian stranded in Doha has raised alarm over the worsening humanitarian situation facing Nigerians in the Middle East as escalating tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States continue to disrupt air travel across the region.
The distress call, shared publicly on social media by Onyeka, described a growing sense of helplessness among Nigerians unable to leave Qatar due to grounded flights and restrictive visa conditions.
Source: Getty Images
According to her, even transit options through neighbouring countries have become inaccessible, leaving families, elderly citizens and children stranded as diplomatic tensions deepen.
Nigerians stranded as flights halt
“Every Nigerian here just feels helpless,the passport can’t even get us a Saudi visa! to atleast leave from here,once you click Nigerian it stops even with a Uk visa. This situation is a highly Diplomatic situation but we seem to not have a strong diplomatic relations,” Onyeka wrote.
She also questioned the uncertainty surrounding evacuation plans.
“For the repatriation flight, for how long are we going to have to wait for? We need help here, there are really old people here with us and children,” he added.
The complaint drew a response from the Nigerian government through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission. The commission acknowledged the distress and provided emergency contact details for affected Nigerians in Doha.
Two killed after projectile strikes Saudi Arabia
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a military projectile struck a residential compound used by a maintenance and cleaning company in Al-Kharj, Saudi authorities confirmed on Sunday. Two people were killed and 12 others sustained injuries in the incident.
According to Saudi Gazette, Saudi Civil Defense said the projectile hit the residential site and caused damage to the facility. Emergency response teams arrived shortly after the incident and carried out standard rescue and safety procedures.
Source: Legit.ng
