Nigerian embassy staff allegedly abscond as other nations rush to evacuate their citizens from Tehran

The Nigerian embassy in Tehran, Iran, is reportedly shut, with no staff in sight, as governments across the globe scramble to evacuate thousands of their citizens caught in the escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran.

A video emanating from Tehran shows a Nigerian complaining that he and other Nigerians found their way to the Nigerian embassy only to find that it was locked up and there was no one in sight to offer them any assistance.

The man filming the embassy said, “We are Nigerians. We just came to the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran in respect to the situation that all residents of Tehran should be evacuated. We came to the embassy here to see the embassy staff, or the consular, or the ambassador, or whoever…all of them have abandoned the Nigerian citizens to their own fate in Iran. That’s why we are making this video so that it can go viral.”

Meanwhile, other countries are organising their citizens and deploying aircraft and buses to evacuate them.

They are facilitating land border crossings where necessary to ensure their citizens cross into safety.

This mass exodus was triggered after Israel launched a surprise bombing offensive last Friday targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities, prompting immediate retaliation from Tehran.

With Israel’s airspace now shut and both nations locked in an exchange of heavy missile fire, many evacuations are being routed through neighbouring countries.

China

China’s foreign ministry disclosed on Thursday that over 1,600 of its nationals have been evacuated from Iran, along with several hundred from Israel. It affirmed that embassies and consulates remain active in ensuring the safe evacuation of all Chinese citizens.

Australia

Australia has initiated evacuation efforts for about 1,500 of its citizens in Iran and over 1,200 in Israel. However, Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned that the intensity of missile attacks makes it too hazardous for civilian aircraft to land in either country.

Europe

Several European nations have already flown hundreds of their nationals out of Israel. On Tuesday, the Czech Republic and Slovakia confirmed that a combined 181 citizens had been flown home on state aircraft. Germany has scheduled evacuation flights via Jordan for Wednesday and Thursday, while Poland expects the first group of its citizens to land on Wednesday.

Greece reported evacuating 105 nationals, alongside a few foreign citizens, through Egypt. Meanwhile, a private flight carrying 148 evacuees arrived in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Tuesday.

United States

U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, announced on Wednesday that American authorities are preparing to evacuate their citizens by both air and sea. “Evacuation flights & cruise ship departures” are being arranged for U.S. nationals wanting to leave Israel, he stated on social media.

Pakistan

Pakistan has closed most of its border crossings with Iran, keeping only essential ones open for returning citizens. About 1,000 Pakistanis, including at least 200 students, have already fled. The foreign ministry confirmed that the families of diplomats and some non-essential embassy staff have been evacuated from Iran.

India

India has repatriated 110 students who crossed into Armenia by land before flying into New Delhi, a spokesperson said on Thursday. An estimated 10,000 Indians are currently in Iran, while around 30,000 are in Israel, according to the Indian embassy.

Japan

Japan has placed military aircraft on standby to assist the estimated 1,000 nationals residing in Israel and approximately 280 in Iran. Officials say buses will be used to transport evacuees to nearby countries, as preparations continue through Japanese embassies in both conflict zones.

Indonesia

Indonesia is preparing to evacuate around 380 of its citizens from Iran via land routes, Jakarta’s foreign minister announced on Thursday.

Vietnam

With over 700 Vietnamese citizens in Israel and dozens more in Iran, Hanoi is working to ensure their safety. The foreign ministry reported that 18 Vietnamese nationals have already been evacuated from Iran—16 of whom have returned to Vietnam. No updates were provided regarding evacuations from Israel.

Philippines

The Philippines plans to repatriate 28 Filipino workers from Israel, out of the 178 who requested assistance, according to Hans Cacdac, Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers. Additionally, at least 21 government officials have crossed into Jordan by land since the outbreak of the conflict, the foreign ministry stated.

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