The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Defence has confirmed that at least one Nigerian was injured in a wave of ballistic missile and drone attacks.
The incident occurred during a massive barrage launched by Iran targeting key infrastructure and urban centers across the Emirates.
Since the conflict intensified on February 28, 2026, UAE air defense systems have reportedly intercepted 241 out of 262 ballistic missiles.
However, debris from these interceptions has fallen into residential and industrial zones in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The Ministry of Defence’s latest report lists a total of 122 individuals with minor to moderate injuries, including citizens from Nigeria, Egypt, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
While the UAE authorities have not specified the exact identity of the victim, they confirmed that one Nigerian was injured and is receiving immediate medical attention alongside 121 others.
“These attacks resulted in 6 deaths of Emirati, Pakistani, Nepalese, and Bangladeshi nationalities, and 122 cases of minor and moderate injuries of Emirati, Egyptian, Sudanese, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese, Afghan, Bahraini, Comorian, Turkish, Iraqi, Nepalese, Nigerian, Omani, Jordanian, and Palestinian nationalities,” the ministry said.
The ministry did not specify the number of nationalities affected per country.
On Wednesday, the defence minister said it was intercepting additional missiles and drones from Iran.
The UAE affirmed its readiness to deal with any threats and to protect its interests.
Meanwhile, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has revealed that the Federal Government of Nigeria will begin repatriating its citizens stranded in the Middle East once “the airspace opens”.
Dabiri-Erewa spoke on Tuesday while reacting to complaints from a Nigerian stranded in Qatar.
“Luckily a flight came in from the UAE to Lagos two days ago just before another strike and closure of the airspace.
“Once the airspace opens, the multi-agency foreign team on crises and evacuation is on standby.
“Our prayers with you and all our people in affected countries.”
Dabiri-Erewa also revealed that the Federal Government had begun evacuating willing Nigerians in Iran by escorting them across the Armenian border.
According to her, officials of the Nigerian embassy in Tehran are coordinating the evacuation and facilitating the safe passage of Nigerians who wish to leave for Armenia.
She also assured that no Nigerian in Iran had been affected by the ongoing tensions, noting that embassy officials remained stationed at the border to receive and assist evacuees.
“Willing Nigerians being escorted across the Armenian border by officials of the Nigerian embassy in Iran for safe passage. No Nigerian in Iran has been affected by the war as officials remain at the border to receive all who want to leave,” she stated in her post on X.
It is unclear how many Nigerians are stranded in Iran or other Middle East countries affected by the ongoing conflict.
