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African Countries Evacuate Nationals Amidst Israel-Iran Tensions

Published

1 year ago

June 20, 2025

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.

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BREAKING: Tinubu Gives Three Fresh Appointments

Published

18 hours ago

July 19, 2026

The Daily Voice

President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of three indigenes of Oyo State to the Surveyors Council of Nigeria.

Naija News learnt that the latest development was confirmed in an appointment letter obtained by Punch, which was signed by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Ibrahim Abubakar, on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

Tinubu appointed Moshood Akinwande as President of the Surveyors Council of Nigeria, alongside Olusoji Adeoye and Olaribigbe Shiyanbola as members of the council representing Oyo State.

According to the letter, the new council members will be inaugurated on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at the SGF’s Hall, Shehu Shagari Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja.

The letter read, “I write with reference to the above subject to forward herewith a copy of Mr President’s approval for the appointment of the President and members of the Surveyors Council of Nigeria and to convey the Secretary to the Government of the Federation’s approval for the inauguration of the council as follows.

“The new council members will be inaugurated on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at the SGF’s Hall, Shehu Shagari Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja.

“Members cut across various interest groups, including representatives of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors from the states, academic institutions offering surveying courses, the military, among others.”

Akinwande, a retired director in the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation, is a native of Oyo town.

Adeoye is the Surveyor-General of Oyo State, while Shiyanbola, who hails from Ipapo in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of the state, is a former Oyo State Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors and former Secretary of the Board of Fellows of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors.

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Wike Gives Condition to Resign From Tinubu’s Cabinet, Video Surfaces

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2026

The Daily Voice

Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has publicly dared critics to disprove road construction claims tied to President Bola Tinubu’s administration, staking his resignation on the figures he presented at a commissioning ceremony in Abuja on Friday, July 17, 2026.

Speaking during the inauguration of the reconstructed Arab/Gbazango road in Kubwa, Wike said 221 kilometres of roads have been completed out of 317 kilometres awarded across satellite towns in the FCT since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023

The minister directed his remarks at those he described as detractors of the administration’s urban renewal programme.

Wike said: “The people of the satellite towns have felt the impact of governance. It has never happened in the history of the administration of this country. “If there is anybody who has a contrary view, let him come out and challenge us that all these you are saying is not correct, I will resign as the minister of the Federal Capital Territory.”

The event was tagged “Day 28” of a running series of FCT project commissionings, reflecting what the minister characterised as an accelerated delivery of infrastructure across the capital territory.

Legit reports that the Arab/Gbazango Road in Kubwa was among the projects cited as evidence of Tinubu’s administration’s ‘commitment to completing long-neglected routes in residential communities surrounding Abuja’s city centre’.

Wike’s remarks come amid ongoing debate between government officials and opposition figures over the pace and scale of federal infrastructure delivery.

While the minister presented the kilometre figures as evidence of tangible progress, critics have continued to question the scope and quality of projects executed under the current FCT administration

Watch Wike’s video below:

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6MjoWICVfrgvYOI845/694

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BREAKING: Mystery Deepens as Fresh Details Emerge in Mary Habila’s Death at Tinubu Minister’s House

Published

4 days ago

July 16, 2026

The Daily Voice

The Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice has recommended that a post-mortem examination be conducted to determine the cause of death of 26-year-old Mary Habila, who was found dead at the Uburu residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi.

The recommendation was contained in a legal advice dated July 15, 2026, and addressed to the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ebonyi State Police Command.Radio

According to the document, reportedly obtained by SaharaReporters, the advice followed a police investigation into Habila’s death at the minister’s residence on June 27.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) stated that the evidence contained in the police case file was insufficient to establish the cause of her death.

The legal advice noted that Habila was found alone and unresponsive in her apartment, adding that investigators were unable to determine what led to her death based on the available evidence.

According to the DPP, there was nothing in the investigation to suggest that Habila had any known illness or underlying health condition before her sudden death.

“There was no evidence that the deceased was indisposed, sick or unstable health-wise prior to her sudden death, as she was full of life at the time she returned to Uburu in company of her team,” the document stated.

The ministry argued that, in the absence of any known medical condition, a scientific examination was necessary to establish the actual cause of death.

“From the foregoing, therefore, the question that would readily come to mind is what exactly caused the deceased’s sudden death?” the DPP queried.

It maintained that a post-mortem examination remained the most appropriate means of providing investigators with a clear direction.

“This curiosity under the law can only be resolved through a post-mortem examination, so as to provide a clue to the police as to the direction of their investigation,” the legal advice added.

The Ministry of Justice further stated that the police could either honour the family’s reported wish to proceed with burial without an autopsy or exercise their statutory powers to order the examination.

“It is therefore the view of this office that the police invoke their discretionary power to either respect the request of the deceased’s family or proceed with the post-mortem examination,” the DPP stated.

The recommendation comes amid growing public interest and conflicting reports over the release of Habila’s body for burial.

Her father, Baba Habila, reportedly visited a morgue in Ebonyi State to receive her remains ahead of a planned burial in Nok, Kaduna State, but declined to comment to journalists.

The family was also reported to have indicated that it did not intend to request an autopsy.

However, Habila’s body had reportedly not been released as investigators continued to consider the Ministry of Justice’s recommendation.

According to reports, Habila arrived at Umahi’s residence on June 26 alongside another woman identified as Anita Baski and was found unresponsive the following morning.

The case was initially reported at the Ohaozara Divisional Police Headquarters before it was transferred to the Ebonyi State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

Minister of Works David Umahi later confirmed that Habila died at his residence, describing her as a physiotherapist seconded from the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences to the Federal Ministry of Works.

Umahi also disclosed that he had encouraged the family to consent to an autopsy to establish the cause of death.

Meanwhile, SaharaReporters, citing unnamed police sources, reported that investigators were examining aspects of Habila’s employment history and her relationship with the university and the Federal Ministry of Works.