“In Israel, you’re paid per hour. No work means no pay. People don’t even know how they’ll eat or pay rent,” said one affected resident.
As missiles continue to rain across Israeli cities in the wake of intensifying hostilities with Iran, Nigerians living in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are pleading for evacuation, sheltering underground and accusing the Nigerian government of inaction.
“We are in an Israeli bomb shelter and I can’t answer calls right now,” said Tel Aviv-based Ekene Abaka in a Facebook message to Saturday PUNCH.
Another Nigerian software engineer in Jerusalem described widespread panic: “We’re on the run… The Nigerian embassy is shut down and doing nothing.”
Israel launched Operation Rising Lion last week, targeting Iranian military and nuclear facilities. In retaliation, Iran fired over 100 ballistic missiles at Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, where Nigeria’s embassy is located. Over 260 have died in the crossfire, with no Nigerian casualties confirmed so far.
Despite evacuations by countries like Germany, China, and Greece, Nigeria has yet to airlift any citizens. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it is awaiting final clearance from Armenia to evacuate nearly 1,000 Nigerians from Iran.
“All hands are on deck,” ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa stated, confirming arrangements for bus transport to Yerevan.
Many Nigerians, however, remain trapped, jobless, and anxious.
“In Israel, you’re paid per hour. No work means no pay. People don’t even know how they’ll eat or pay rent,” said one affected resident.
A viral video showed Nigerians frantically fleeing into shelters. “We didn’t grab water,” a voice cried. “This place is not safe.”
As tensions rise, stranded citizens wait—frightened and forgotten.