Israel-Hezbollah conflict: FG prepares evacuation, says no Nigerian affected so far

The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that no Nigerian national has been harmed in Lebanon amid the ongoing conflict between Israeli Defense Forces and Hezbollah.

In a statement released yesterday, the Ministry assured that the Nigerian Embassy in Lebanon has been actively working to ensure the safety of its citizens.

The Ministry’s Spokesperson, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, statedthat the Federal Government has set in motion plans for the emergency evacuation of Nigerians in Lebanon.

He said the government has taken several steps to protect its nationals, including issuing regular safety advisories and facilitating the relocation of Nigerians from the conflict-ridden southern regions to safer areas like Beirut.

“Further to the deteriorating situation in Lebanon over the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, the Federal Government has commenced preparation for the evacuation of Nigerians in Lebanon back to Nigeria,” the statement read.

Nigerians in Lebanon were previously advised by the Nigerian Embassy in August 2024 to consider voluntary evacuation while commercial flights remained an option.

The Ministry reassured that no Nigerian lives have been lost since the start of the conflict and remains committed to the protection and safety of all Nigerian nationals in the region.

Meanwhile, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, reported that over 200,000 people, including Lebanese and Syrians living in Lebanon, have fled the country due to Israeli air strikes.

Lebanese authorities estimate the total number of displaced individuals to be around 300,000.