Nigeria monitors Israel-Iran ceasefire as it prepares to evacuate nearly 1,000 citizens from Iran via Armenia, amid rising casualties and diplomatic tension

The Federal Government has said it is closely monitoring the ceasefire between Israel and Iran and remains on standby to evacuate Nigerian citizens if tensions in the region escalate again.

Also read: Israel vs Iran: What is Nigeria’s foreign policy thrust?

This assurance came on Tuesday amid ongoing efforts to move nearly 1,000 Nigerians out of Iran, where they have been stranded due to the weeks-long conflict between the two Middle Eastern countries.

A ceasefire, brokered by former United States President Donald Trump, was announced on Tuesday following weeks of intense hostilities marked by missile exchanges and airstrikes.

In response, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had begun coordinating logistics for the evacuation of its citizens, particularly those in Iran.

The Nigerian Embassy in Tehran reportedly secured bus transport to Armenia, from where evacuees would be airlifted to Nigeria via the Armenian capital, Yerevan.

However, as of last week, final clearance from Armenian border officials was still pending.

To facilitate smooth transit, the Nigerian Embassy has also submitted updated passenger manifests and identification details to Iranian authorities to avoid any border delays.

Speaking to The PUNCH on Tuesday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said, “We are monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire agreement closely. The safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad remains our top priority. We are ready to act if the situation changes.”

The conflict, which intensified on June 13 after Israel launched widespread airstrikes on over 100 locations across Iran—including military and nuclear sites—has taken a heavy humanitarian toll.

Iran’s Health Ministry confirmed at least 610 civilian deaths and over 4,700 injuries since the start of hostilities. Among the dead were 13 children, healthcare workers, and emergency responders.

Multiple hospitals and ambulances were also damaged in the strikes.

Iran retaliated with a barrage of missiles, resulting in additional casualties and sparking evacuations by numerous countries.

Germany, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Greece, and the Czech Republic have all repatriated their citizens, with some evacuees trekking across land borders before boarding evacuation flights.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who brokered the ceasefire, addressed the crisis on Tuesday, issuing pointed criticism at both Iran and Israel for their conduct during the conflict.

However, he later confirmed the truce was holding and called on Israel to suspend further air operations.

Despite this development, Nigerian authorities remain cautious.

Also read: Naira Slumps As Oil Dips After Israel Iran Ceasefire

“We won’t hesitate to move our citizens to safety if there’s any sign of renewed violence,” Ebienfa reiterated.