M-East war: No distress calls yet from Nigerians in Iran — FG

LAGOS — The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, announced yesterday that it has not yet received any distress calls from Nigerians living in Iran, amid the ongoing conflicts involving Iran, the United States, and its ally, Israel.

This statement coincided with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicating that it continues to monitor the situation in the Middle East.

Additionally, numerous protesters gathered in the Maryland area of Lagos yesterday, chanting slogans against the US and Israel, while demanding global condemnation of foreign interference in sovereign nations. The presence of these demonstrators increased tensions, causing passers-by to steer clear of the area.

It is worth noting that Shi’ite groups protested on Sunday against the attack and assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in various states including Kano, Sokoto, Gombe, Niger, Kaduna, Bauchi, and Yobe.

Meanwhile, the conflict expanded across the Middle East and beyond yesterday, with Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, joining the conflict and targeting a British air base in Cyprus. Concurrently, the price of Nigeria’s Bonny Light crude oil rose to $80 per barrel yesterday, up from $70 per barrel on Sunday, marking the highest price since July 2025.

Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Director of Media and Public Relations at NiDCOM, revealed in a telephone interview that there have been no distress calls received, stating that while there may be Nigerians in Iran, none have officially contacted the commission for help.

“I’m not implying that there are no Nigerians there; I’m simply stating that no one has sent any distress call,” he clarified.

He further explained that flight cancellations to the region are a result of the ongoing hostilities, emphasizing that no airline would operate in an active war zone.

“You cannot fly where bombs are going up and down. No airline will fly,” he said, adding that the situation affects all nationals, not just Nigerians.

“There may be ceasefire for two or three days to allow people who are stranded at the airport to be evacuated. That has not been done,” he noted.

Asked to provide an estimate of Nigerians currently affected, Balogun said NiDCOM doesn’t have such data and advised that inquiries be directed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“We don’t have embassies there. The only person controlling embassies is the Minister of Foreign Affairs. They will be able to tell you,” he said.

On whether NiDCOM is collaborating with airlines or foreign authorities to ensure Nigerians are not left stranded, the spokesperson maintained that such collaboration is not feasible under the current circumstances.

“There is suspension of (flights) by all airlines. We cannot collaborate with anybody,” he said, noting that Nigeria currently has no national carrier operating international routes.

“Which Nigerian airline? We don’t have one now,” he added.

Balogun clarified that Nigerians traveling to Iran generally do so as private individuals, often transiting through nations like the United Arab Emirates or Greece.

Regarding the potential activation of a comprehensive evacuation plan, Balogun indicated that specific criteria must be fulfilled before the Federal Government can take action.

Balogun emphasized that affected Nigerians need to formally request assistance and express their willingness to return home, stating: “You cannot compel them; individuals traveled there of their own accord. In Sudan and Ukraine, some initially expressed a desire to remain. Therefore, individuals must seek help and communicate, ‘our lives are in danger, can you evacuate us?”

He elaborated that once such a request is submitted and conditions allow, the Federal Government could implement emergency protocols, which may include chartering aircraft and establishing a rescue committee.

“They must be Nigerians and be ready to come back home,” he stated.
He affirmed that the protection of Nigerians abroad remains a core responsibility of the Federal Government, in line with its citizen diplomacy policy.

“If the life of any Nigerian is in danger and it reaches out to us, the Federal Government will look for a way out. Even if we don’t have an aircraft, we can lease or hire for that operation,” he added.

“As far as I know, I’m not aware that anybody has sent a distress call,” he maintained, adding that international protocols must also be observed in situations of global airspace restrictions.

Foreign Ministry looking at rescuing stranded Nigerians

On its part, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, yesterday, it is considering the option of evacuating Nigerians from the war-torn region as soon as normalcy returned.

The ministry's spokesman, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, revealed, "We are contemplating that option while keeping an eye on the situation."

Shi’ites protest attacks in Lagos

Additionally, yesterday, members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, known as IMN or Shi’ites, organized a protest against the assault on Iran and the assassination of its spiritual leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.

The demonstrators marched through the Maryland area, chanting slogans against the US and Israel, while calling for global condemnation of foreign interference in sovereign nations.

As a result, police were stationed at key locations to maintain order and prevent any disruption by troublemakers.

Muftau Zakariya, the South-West Coordinator of the IMN, informed reporters that the protest aimed to draw attention to what they termed ongoing foreign intrusions into sovereign countries.

"The US intervention yields no positive outcomes. It is solely focused on its economic interests, disregarding the subsequent repercussions," he stated.

It is also worth noting that the acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, had ordered increased security measures across the nation on Sunday to avert any repercussions from international events.

Conflict spreads to Lebanon as Iran strikes Saudi Arabia and Qatar energy sites

As the conflict escalated, it extended throughout the Middle East and beyond yesterday, with Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, joining the conflict and targeting a British air base in Cyprus.

Lebanese officials reported that at least 31 individuals lost their lives due to Israeli airstrikes.

In retaliation, Iran attacked significant gas facilities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, resulting in a halt in operations at both energy sites, which consequently drove oil and gas prices higher.

Reports indicated that several US warplanes were mistakenly shot down yesterday by Kuwaiti air defenses, although all crew members survived.

In a related development, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s wife, 79-year-old Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, succumbed to injuries sustained three days after the strike that killed her husband and several senior Iranian officials.

Speaking, yesterday, Trump said US strikes will continue in full force until all objectives were achieved, adding that the war will probably last four weeks.

He admitted that there will likely be more casualties after US Central Command confirmed four US soldiers killed in an Iranian attack.

UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, said the UK has accepted a US request to use some of its military bases.

Strikes to continue with full force — Trump

Speaking on the ongoing war, yesterday, President Trump said US and Israeli military operations against Iran will continue until all objectives were achieved.

Trump addressed the nation as the US Central Command confirmed the death of a fourth service member.

In a six-minute address shared on social media, Trump stated: “Combat operations are currently ongoing at full capacity, and they will persist until all of our goals are met. We have very significant objectives.”

He called on Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and military police to disarm, while also speaking to the Iranian populace regarding their leadership.

“I urge all Iranian patriots who desire freedom to take advantage of this moment, to be courageous, to be bold, to be heroic, and to reclaim your nation. America stands with you,” Trump declared.

Saudi Arabia suspends certain operations at Ras Tanura refinery.

Trump’s announcement coincided with a statement from Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry, which indicated that some operations at the Ras Tanura refinery had been suspended following an attack that resulted in a fire at the facility.

The ministry reported that the refinery experienced “minor damage from falling debris” due to the interception of two drones near the refinery.

“Certain operational units at the refinery were shut down as a precautionary measure, with no effect on the supply of petroleum products to local markets,” an official from the ministry stated in a release by the Saudi Press Agency. The Ras Tanura complex is home to one of the largest refineries in the Middle East, with a capacity of 550,000 barrels per day.

QatarEnergy ceases LNG production.

QatarEnergy, the state-owned energy firm, also announced the suspension of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) production following attacks on its facilities in Ras Laffan and Mesaieed.