As the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah continues to worsen in Lebanon, the Nigerian government has intensified its efforts to evacuate its citizens from the crisis-ridden country. According to the latest reports, only about 70 Nigerians have registered for evacuation out of an estimated 2,000 Nigerians believed to be in Lebanon.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been coordinating the evacuation process, but it has faced significant challenges. Many Nigerians in Lebanon are reluctant to return home due to the dire economic conditions and uncertainty in Nigeria. For instance, Adeola, a 25-year-old housekeeper in Beirut, expressed her preference to stay in Lebanon despite the dangers, citing her financial responsibilities back home, including caring for her sick parents and settling debts.
The President of the Nigerian Community in Lebanon, Mr. Roland Aigbovbiosa, has emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the lives of even a few individuals matter and advocating for immediate evacuation rather than waiting for a larger number of registrants. The current registration number has increased from around 30 last week to just over 70, but this is still far below the initial estimate of 500 who had expressed interest earlier.
The Federal Government, through agencies like the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), is working closely with the Nigerian mission in Lebanon to facilitate the evacuation. Despite the preparations, the exact timeline for the evacuation remains uncertain, leaving many Nigerians in Lebanon in a state of limbo.
The conflict in Lebanon began in September following an Iranian missile attack on Israel, which has heightened instability in the region. The Nigerian government has urged its citizens in high-risk areas to relocate to safer parts of Lebanon or to register for evacuation. However, the economic and social ties many Nigerians have in Lebanon make returning to Nigeria a difficult decision.
