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African Countries Evacuate Nationals Amidst Israel-Iran Tensions
As tensions escalate between Israel and Iran following renewed military confrontations that began on June 13, several African countries have initiated evacuation procedures for their nationals.
The latest crisis, which saw Iran launch missiles into Israel and Israel target nuclear and military facilities inside Iran, has resulted in significant casualties.
Iran’s health ministry confirmed over 220 deaths, while Israeli authorities say 24 people have died from retaliatory attacks.
Here is a detailed look—based on reporting by BBC News Pidgin at the evacuation responses of African governments:
Nigeria
The Nigerian government says it is finalising plans to evacuate its citizens from the affected regions. A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that authorities are working with international partners to ensure the safe and timely return of Nigerians. Citizens in Israel and Iran are advised to reach out to Nigerian embassies or consulates in nearby countries for further guidance.
The spokesperson of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, in a statement on Tuesday, June 17 said: “The ministry wishes to inform that following the escalation of the crisis between the State of Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Federal Government is finalizing arrangements for the emergency evacuation of stranded Nigerians in both countries.
“All affected Nigerian citizens are therefore strongly advised to abide by the necessary security protocols and do well to contact the nearest Nigerian embassy for registration and further instructions.
“The ministry commends the efforts put in place by our missions in Tel Aviv, Israel and Tehran, Iran for their dedication and commitment to reaching out to the Nigerian community at this difficult time.
“We wish to reassure the general public that the Federal Government of Nigeria remains committed to the safety and welfare of all its citizens both at home and abroad and is working in close coordination with relevant international partners and local authorities to ensure the timely and secure evacuation of Nigerians in the affected areas.”
Ebienfa added that in the same vein, the Government of Nigeria reiterated its call for the immediate cessation of hostilities, urging all parties involved to embrace dlalogue, respect international humanitarian law and prioritize the protection of civilians.
He said Nigeria stands firm in its support for the peaceful resolution of conflicts and reaffirms its longstanding commitment to global peace and stability, adding that further updates will be provided through official channels as events unfold.
Ghana
Ghana has already begun evacuating its nationals from Iran. This has seen the Ghanaian government shutting down its embassy in Tehran while confirming that diplomats, students, professionals, and other citizens are being moved out through land borders.
In Israel, however, evacuation has been delayed due to border closures. The Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that movement is only possible with approval from Israeli authorities. Citizens are currently being told to remain in bomb shelters.
Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: “The Government of Ghana expresses its serious concern over the military escalation between Israel and Iran, following the military strikes undertaken by the State of Israel on Iranian territory on 13 June 2025.
“Ghana calls upon the partics to exercise maximum restraint, prioritize dialogue, and accept the channels of diplomatic facilitation to de-escalate the situation. Ghana further calls upon the parties to reaffirm their commitment to the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law.
“Ghana urges the parties to urgently recommit to the peaceful resolution of the conflict and to respect the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of each other. Ghana stands ready to support a unified response of the international community to de-escalate the conflict to prevent its spread, abate the further destabilisation of the Middle East, and contain the unfolding threat to international peace and security.”
According to the Ghanaian embassy in Israel, 922 Ghanaians are officially residing in the country. One Ghanaian resident told *BBC News Pidgin* that they rely on automated alerts from Israel’s defence ministry to seek shelter during missile attacks, most of which occur at night.
Uganda
Uganda is coordinating evacuations through third-party countries, as it has no embassies in either Israel or Iran. According to *Chimp Reports*, the Ugandan government has contacted Egypt, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Jordan to request visas for its nationals fleeing the conflict zones.
As of now, 48 Ugandan students have begun leaving Tehran. Uganda’s foreign ministry has tasked its diplomatic missions in the region with overseeing the evacuation process.
Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday said in a statement on its official X account: “The Government of
The Uganda Embassy in Tehran has successfully coordinated the evacuation of two diplomatic staff who had remained in Tehran, and 42 Ugandan students to Turkiye following the outbreak of conflict between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel that broke out on 13th June 2025.
“The evacuations were managed by the Embassy having set up an emergency evacuation coordination centre in neighbouring Turkey where, in cooperation with the Embassy in Ankara and guidance from Ministry of Foreign Affairs Headquarters, Ugandans in Iran were registered for evacuations, land transport arranged and the Republic of Turkey requested and accepted to issue visas on arrival yo enable emergency evacuation of the affected Ugandans back home through Turkey.
“The Emergency Evacuation Coordination Centre is being overseen by Amb. Twaha Matata, Charge d’Affaires a.i, assisted by Mr. Oscar J. Edule, Minister Counsellor and Mr. Agaba Mark, Financial Attaché, Uganda Embassy Tehran. This centre will continue to operate until all Ugandans in the Islamic Republic of Iran are repatriated to Uganda.
“The evacuated nationals were received at the Bargarzan border by Mr. Julius Malinga, Second Secretary, Ms. Zainah Nabirye, Uganda Embassy in Tehran and Mr. Mubarak Daka from the Uganda Embassy in Ankara on Wednesday, 18th June 2025. They are being transferred today to Istanbul, where they are expected to be conveyed to Uganda on a commercial chartered aircraft.
“Registration and coordination efforts continue to be undertaken for other Ugandan nationals still inside Iran, with the aim of safely guiding, supporting, and ensuring their safe exit and return to Uganda.”
Kenya
The Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not started evacuations but issued a strong advisory urging its citizens in Israel and Iran to take extreme precautions. Citizens have been instructed to avoid unnecessary travel, remain indoors, and follow local authorities’ instructions. Kenyans in distress have been directed to contact their missions in Tel Aviv or Tehran for emergency assistance.
South Africa
South Africa’s foreign ministry earlier asked its citizens in Iran to register with the country’s embassy. The government, however, warned that its consular support is limited and that it may not be able to offer assistance during emergencies. The ministry encouraged South African nationals to evaluate their own safety and act accordingly.
Guardian.ng
Details of Nigeria’s military collaboration with the United States have emerged, following heightened coordination after former US President Donald Trump re-designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) last October.
The move came amid allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria, which the federal government has consistently denied.
Trump later threatened to deploy troops into Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” to eliminate terrorists targeting Christians, prompting President Bola Tinubu to send a high-level delegation, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, to meet US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“Hegseth assured us that the department is working aggressively with Nigeria to combat terrorism, but the details of engagement were not disclosed at the time,” a source familiar with the meeting said.
Days after the high-level talks, the US began intelligence-gathering flights over Nigerian territory using contractor-operated aircraft originating from Accra, Ghana,
Punch reported. On Christmas Day, the US launched strikes on two terrorist enclaves in Bauni Forest, Tangaza LGA, Sokoto state.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the “precision hits” were the result of intelligence sharing and strategic coordination under international and bilateral agreements.
Communities in Sokoto and Kwara states reported explosions, later identified as debris from precision-guided munitions (PGMs) fired by the US.
Officials revealed that the US requested a station in Nigeria to refuel drones after missions from Ghana, initially suggesting Lagos or Abuja, but the federal government proposed a north-eastern state hosting Nigeria’s drone operations.
An official said: “We’re not going to have boots on the ground. They will support Nigeria in equipment, intelligence, or advisory capacity, including training. This is not a combat operation.”
The station is expected to enhance logistical support and coordination between the two countries’ military forces
General Dagvin Anderson, head of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), confirmed the deployment of a “small team” to Nigeria, sparking public interest.
As reported by TheCable: “AFRICOM has always collaborated with Nigeria. US troops have been present, but the scope of their assignment has changed to support intelligence and training initiatives.”
Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s minister of Defence, explained that the personnel are not combat troops but a small advisory team assisting in intelligence gathering and training.
An official also noted that the team played a key role in coordinating the Christmas Day strikes.
Kogi State Government temporarily closes markets and motor parks to enhance security operations against criminals The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said the closure affects seven local government areas, targeting logistics and movement of supplies for criminal elements Fanwo assures closure is temporary, to be lifted after successful completion of security operations
Lokoja, Kogi State – The Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo-led Kogi State Government has ordered the temporary closure of selected markets and motor parks in seven local government areas of the state.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said the markets and motor parts are being shut down to intensify and coordinate security operations in the affected areas.
Fanwo said the development is to help flush out terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements operating within parts of the state. As reported by Daily Trust, he made this known while briefing journalists on Sunday, February 8, 2026, in Lokoja.
He said the affected markets and motor parks are located in Lokoja, Kogi, Kabba/Bunu, Ijumu, Mopa Muro, Yagba West, and Yagba East local government areas of the state’s western district.
“The directive affects selected communities across seven local government areas of the state. “The measure is in support of ongoing clearance operations being carried out in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the heads of security agencies in Kogi State.”
According to Fanwo, the temporary closure is to cut off logistics, restrict the movement of consumables, and deny criminal elements. The commissioner also denied their informants access to food supplies and other forms of support during the security exercise. He disclosed that the closure was strictly temporary and would be lifted immediately after the conclusion of the security operations in the affected areas.
Recall that the Kogi state government shut schools in the state to enhance security for students amid rising threats. The state government emphasised proactive measures rather than reactive responses to avoid potential crises. The development comes amid calls for police decentralisation to empower local governments in tackling insecurity.
he Indigenous People of Biafra has announced the permanent cancellation of the Monday sit-at-home across the South-East, following a directive from its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, with effect from February 9, 2026.
The announcement was made by the group’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, in a statement issued on Sunday, which said the order came directly from Kanu. The pro-Biafran group had declared the weekly sit-at-home in August 2021 to protest Kanu’s rendition to Nigeria and subsequent incarceration, a move that often resulted in the shutdown of markets, schools, banks and offices.
Powerful said the new directive left “no need, excuse, or justification” for residents to remain indoors on Mondays, stressing that economic and social activities must resume fully.
“The IPOB, under the supreme leadership of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, hereby announces to the entire world that the Monday sit-at-home across the South-East is officially and permanently cancelled with effect from tomorrow, Monday, February 9, 2026.
“This directive comes directly from Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu himself, who has once again staked everything on the line to ensure that our children return to school every Monday and that our people go about their lawful businesses without fear, intimidation, or molestation,” the statement said.
The group warned that any individual or group attempting to enforce sit-at-home would be acting against Kanu’s direct order. “Kanu has made it abundantly clear that any person or group attempting to enforce sit-at-home from this moment forward is acting against his direct command,” the statement said.
Powerful also cautioned against what he described as “false-flag operations” aimed at creating fear and discouraging residents from resuming normal activities, urging people to remain calm and law-abiding.
The group further warned state governments against threatening or shutting down businesses, saying any renovation or reconstruction of markets must be carried out with the consent of stakeholders and with adequate alternative trading arrangements.
According to an SBM Intelligence report, the sit‑at‑home directives enforced in the South‑East from 2021 to 2025 were associated with at least 776 violent incidents and 776 deaths across the region. The orders were enforced through intimidation, arson, kidnappings and targeted attacks on civilians who defied them.
The report documented 332 violent incidents and 776 fatalities over the four‑year period, with Imo and Anambra states bearing the highest toll. In addition to fatalities, the crisis crippled economic activity, with losses estimated at about N7.6tn due to repeated market closures and disruptions to transport and trade.
Last week, Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, ordered the forced reopening of the Onitsha Main Market on Monday, in a move defying the sit-at-home directive issued by IPOB. During an earlier visit on Monday, January 26, 2025, the governor had ordered the market to be shut after traders failed to open that day.
Following a one-week closure, the market was reopened on Monday, February 2, with many traders operating for the first time since 2021, when the enforcement of the sit-at-home order began.
Addressing the visibly elated traders, Soludo declared an end to Monday sit-at-home directives and warned that any trader complying with IPOB’s order would risk forfeiting their business premises. He added that those who refused to open their shops would face the loss of their businesses.
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