By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, Yusuf Tuggar, has refuted media reports making the rounds that Nigerian nationals in Iran have been abandoned amid the rising conflict between their host nation and Israel.
Tuggar described the reports as “misleading and unfounded”, stressing that the Nigerian Embassy in Iran’s capital of Tehran had not ceased operations but working remotely due to the ongoing security concerns which have disrupted normal work schedules.
The minister made the clarification in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s spokesperson, Mr Kimiebi Ebienfa.
“The Embassy of Nigeria in Tehran remains operational and fully committed to the welfare and safety of all Nigerian nationals in Iran,” the ministry clarified.
“In response to these developments, the Embassy is actively engaging with the Government of Armenia to secure access for the evacuation of Nigerians via Yerevan,” the ministry stated.
The ministry also released emergency numbers and emails Nigerians trapped in Iran could contact for assistance, as:
Mr Esson Anzaku: +989393216872
Mr Abutalib: +989024199018, +989393216872
Emails: nigeria.tehran@mfa.gov.ng, anzakuesson02@gmail.com, lawshed@yahoo.com
“The ministry remains vigilant in monitoring the situation and will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard the interests of Nigerians worldwide,” the statement added.
