Nigerians caught in the escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran are appealing for urgent assistance from underground shelters, as heavy missile exchanges between the two nations continue. Many expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Nigerian government's perceived inaction, highlighting that numerous other countries have already begun evacuating their citizens, leaving Nigerians feeling abandoned and vulnerable amidst the conflict.

The conflict intensified following Israel's 'Operation Rising Lion' launched last Friday, involving guided missiles and air raids targeting suspected Iranian nuclear and military sites, air-defence installations, and residential areas in eastern Tehran, particularly the Shahrak-e-Mahallati neighbourhood, as well as targets in Tabriz and other cities. This offensive resulted in significant casualties, including high-ranking Iranian military figures such as General Mohammad Bagheri and IRGC commander Hossein Salami. Tehran described these strikes as "the most direct act of war" in decades. In a retaliatory move on June 13, 2025, Iran launched a large-scale missile barrage, firing over 100 ballistic missiles at Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, where the Nigerian embassy is situated. Reports indicate that at least 264 people, including 70 women and children, have died in the two countries since the war began.

The majority of Nigerians residing in Israel are based in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Sources confirm that nearly all economic, social, and religious activities have been suspended across major Israeli cities. Nigerians recount harrowing ordeals, with Ekene Abaka in Tel Aviv stating that community members have joined other foreigners in military-provided underground shelters, awaiting an opportunity to escape. An anonymous software engineer in Jerusalem, also speaking from a bomb shelter, corroborated the scramble for safety and noted that while many Israelis had perished, no Nigerian casualties had been reported so far. Both lamented the perceived indifference of the Nigerian embassy, which they claimed had closed all official and diplomatic activities without providing support to distressed citizens.

A video shared by 'Travels Vlog' on Facebook captured the terrifying reality, showing Nigerians frantically scrambling into a bomb shelter after the Israeli government issued a security alarm warning of incoming Iranian missiles. One individual cried out in fear upon seeing missiles fall. The group encountered a locked shelter, forcing them to rush off in search of an open one under the night sky. The 'Travels Vlog' host, Solomon, later explained in a live video that the Israeli government provides a text message alert ten minutes before missile impact, followed by blaring security sirens, triggering widespread panic.

In stark contrast to Nigeria's situation, many international governments have swiftly moved to evacuate their nationals from both Iran and Israel due to dangerous conditions like airspace closures and missile fire. At least 12 countries, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Greece, the United States, and China, have already repatriated hundreds of their citizens by air, sea, and road. The Czech Republic and Slovakia flew home 181 people, while Greece returned 105. The U.S. announced evacuation plans, and China evacuated over 1,600 citizens from Iran and several hundred from Israel. Despite the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs stating on Tuesday that its embassies in Israel and Tehran were actively reaching out to affected citizens and coordinating efforts for safe return, as of Thursday night, no Nigerians had been evacuated. Hope Omobeauty, a Nigerian, expressed frustration, noting, "I have people in Israel who are trying to leave, but there is no way."

The Israeli government's decision to shut down all activities until at least Sunday at 8 pm, including all educational institutions, has severely impacted the livelihoods of Nigerians. The anonymous engineer described the situation as dire, with no income for families who rely on hourly wages and pay monthly rent. He expressed fear about how they would manage rent and feed their children, adding that while a reopening on Sunday was announced, it was not guaranteed and depended entirely on Iran's continued actions. He further accused Nigerian embassy officials of neglecting the welfare of citizens, focusing only on formal obligations like visas, leaving Nigerians to fend for themselves.

Nigerians living in Iran have also voiced feelings of abandonment by their country's embassy staff amidst the escalating conflict. This sentiment persists despite the Federal Government's promise on Tuesday to finalize emergency evacuation plans. A viral video circulating on social media showed a Nigerian citizen outside what appeared to be the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran, accusing officials, including the ambassador, of fleeing their posts and abandoning citizens to their fate. The individual claimed that embassy staff had escaped to an island for safety, reinforcing the frustration and fear among the stranded Nigerians.

Meanwhile, nearly 1,000 Nigerians stranded in Iran remain in limbo as the Federal Government awaits final border clearance from Armenia to commence their evacuation. According to Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran has completed logistical arrangements to transport citizens by bus to Yerevan, Armenia, the nearest border country, from where they are to be airlifted home. Embassy officials are reportedly in close talks with Armenian authorities to finalize the movement across the Iran-Armenia border. While bus transport has been secured, approval from Armenia remains pending. Ebienfa emphasized that the embassy is coordinating with Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs by submitting updated lists of evacuees to ensure a smooth passage and avoid bottlenecks. Despite these assurances, both Ebienfa and Nigeria Diaspora Commission Executive Chairman Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa declined to provide further updates when contacted on Friday, referring back to the Ministry's Tuesday statement, while presidential spokesmen also remained unreachable.