JUST IN: FG Releases Emergency Contacts For Nigerians In Middle East

The Federal Government has released emergency contact details for Nigerian diplomatic missions across the Middle East to assist citizens affected by the escalating conflict in the region.

The advisory was issued in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nigeria and signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.

According to the ministry, the emergency contacts were provided to enable Nigerians living in or travelling across the Middle East to quickly reach diplomatic missions for assistance as tensions escalate in the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.

The ministry explained that the emergency contact list covers Nigerian diplomatic missions in 10 countries across the Middle East affected by the ongoing hostilities.

It urged Nigerians in the region to maintain communication with the nearest Nigerian embassy or consulate.

“Further to established communication channels publicised by the various Nigerian missions in the Middle East region, Nigerian citizens affected by the ongoing crisis should contact the following mobile numbers in case of emergency and also ensure that they are registered with the respective embassy or consulate in their country of residence,” the statement said.

The ministry listed the following emergency numbers for Nigerian diplomatic missions in the region:

Embassy of Nigeria, Tehran (Iran): +98 937 685 1897; +98 933 951 5348; +98 930 972 9965; +234 906 768 4063
Embassy of Nigeria, Tel Aviv (Israel): +972 547 115279; +234 706 4263944
Embassy of Nigeria, Abu Dhabi (UAE): +971 56 884 4130
Consulate-General, Dubai (UAE): +971 56 377 8678
Embassy of Nigeria, Kuwait (covers Bahrain): +965 9789 5737; +965 9950 9288
Embassy of Nigeria, Doha (Qatar): +974 3019 7102; +974 3019 7261
Embassy of Nigeria, Beirut (Lebanon): +961 78 861 779; +234 803 8954425
Embassy of Nigeria, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia): +966 542149456; +966 565695763
Consulate-General, Jeddah (Saudi Arabia): +966 56 096 5633
Embassy of Nigeria, Amman (Jordan – covers Iraq): +962 777 369428; +962 776 594020

Authorities advised Nigerians to register with their respective embassies to facilitate communication and emergency support.

The government had earlier issued a security advisory to Nigerians living in or travelling across Iran and other Gulf countries following the escalation of the regional conflict.

According to the ministry, diplomatic missions in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have been placed on high alert to provide consular assistance where necessary.

NiDCOM Debunks Distress Claims
Meanwhile, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) dismissed claims circulating online suggesting that Nigerians in Iran had failed to issue distress calls despite the crisis.

The clarification was contained in a statement signed by the commission’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.

The regional conflict escalated after joint airstrikes reportedly carried out by Israel and the United States killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

Since then, Tehran has reportedly launched retaliatory attacks on US-linked assets and strategic interests across the Middle East.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, recently disclosed that about 12,000 Nigerians currently reside in the United Arab Emirates.

The Middle East also remains a major religious destination for Nigerians, with Christian pilgrims frequently visiting Israel while Muslim pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia for religious rites.

However, Nigerian authorities earlier suspended pilgrimages to Israel and the occupied West Bank due to security concerns linked to the escalating crîsis in the region.