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ABUJA, Nigeria - The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has refuted false narratives spreading on social media claiming that Nigerian citizens have been forsaken in Iran amid escalating tensions in the region.
In a statement released on Saturday in Abuja by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, Tuggar described the reports as “misleading,” “untruthful,” and “not based on facts.”
He emphasized that the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran is operational and dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of Nigerian citizens residing in Iran.
In response to rumors suggesting that the embassy had shut down due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, the minister clarified that while the regular operations of the embassy have been disrupted due to ongoing security threats and bombings in Tehran, embassy staff are still working remotely to offer assistance.
Tuggar revealed that the embassy is coordinating with the Government of Armenia to explore possible evacuation routes through Yerevan for Nigerians, should the situation worsen.
He urged Nigerian citizens in Iran to connect with designated community coordinators, monitor real-time updates on the Iranian messaging app Eitaa, and reach out to the embassy via official emergency contacts and emails provided by the embassy.
“The ministry remains vigilant in overseeing the situation and will persist in implementing all necessary measures to protect the interests of Nigerians globally,” the statement concluded.
