The escalating conflict in the Middle East has continued to hit closer to home as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Defence has announced that at least one Nigerian and several nationals from other countries were injured following an alleged attack from Iran.
Despite the UAE Ministry of Defence confirming the injuries following the interception of over 260 ballistic missiles, there has been a noticeable lack of a specific, high-level response from the Federal Government.
According to official statements from Abu Dhabi, the Nigerian victim was injured as a result of the fallout of a sophisticated air attack operation by Iran in the UAE.
While the UAE successfully intercepted some of the missiles, the resulting debris caused significant damage in high-traffic areas, including locations near Palm Jumeirah and Dubai International Airport.
This was disclosed in a statement on Saturday titled “UAE air defences engage 9 ballistic missiles, 33 UAVs.”
According to the defence agency, the UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched from Iran.
“These attacks have resulted in six fatalities of Emirati, Pakistani, Nepali, and Bangladeshi nationals, and 141 minor to moderate injuries among nationals of the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia, and Sweden,” the statement partly read.
The defence authorities added that since the onset of what it described as “blatant Iranian aggression,” UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass had reported that the Federal Government of Nigeria has yet to send military jets or chartered planes to the Middle East to repatriate citizens caught in the crossfire of the crisis.
The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs only issued an advisory to Nigerians living in or visiting Iran and other Gulf countries following the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The advisory was issued in a statement by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
The ministry stated that the Federal Government is closely monitoring the evolving and volatile situation in the Middle East, particularly the military actions and retaliations involving Israel, the United States, and Iran.
The ministry issued the following advisory:
“Maintain Constant Vigilance: All Nigerians in Iran and affected Gulf countries are advised to remain extremely vigilant and aware of their surroundings at all times. Avoid areas known to host strategic, military, or government installations, as these could become potential flashpoints.
“Limit Movement: Nigerians are strongly advised to restrict non-essential movement and travel within these countries until the security situation becomes clearer and stabilises. Avoid large gatherings and public demonstrations.
“Follow Local Directives: Citizens are strongly advised to strictly comply with all security and safety directives issued by local authorities to ensure their safety. Cooperation with local law enforcement is paramount.
“Stay Informed: Keep abreast of news and updates from reliable international and local sources. Be cautious of misinformation and rely on official channels for accurate and critical safety information.”
