The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has issued advice to Nigerian citizens currently based in Lebanon to return home as soon as they can, in order to avoid being the victims of impending conflicts in the country.
According to Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Nigerians in Diaspora Commission:
“Worried by the attacks on Hezbollah and other areas in Lebanon by Israeli government, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission is hereby advising Nigerians resident in Lebanon to consider moving out of the country now that commercial flights are still in operation.
“Though information from the Nigerian community in Lebanon indicated that most Nigerians have relocated from the southern part and are now relatively safe, we hereby advise them to keep safe until the ceasefire is in place.
“It is gratifying to note that thus far, no Nigerian has witnessed any form of accident or injury and wish to advise them to continue to remain safe while the war lasts.
“Nigerians are equally advised to liase with our Embassy in Lebanon for necessary guidance regarding their safety and be rest assured that their welfare and safety is of utmost concern to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” Balogun stated.
This advice came following the report that Israel has launched a ground invasion in southern Lebanon, in what it has described as “limited, localised and targeted” raids against Hezbollah.
Lebanese civilians are being warned not to use vehicles to travel south across the Litani river, located 20 miles north of the Israel-Lebanon border, and residents in around 25 villages have been told to evacuate and head north.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the operation is aimed at the Iran-backed group’s “infrastructure”, which it says poses “an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel”.