FG Reassures Nigerians in Iran Amid Security Concerns
…Dabiri-Erewa Urges Media to Stop Criminalising Migration
The Federal Government has assured the public that all Nigerians residing in the Islamic Republic of Iran are safe, amid growing concerns over recent tensions in the region.
This reassurance came through a statement issued on Friday by Gabriel Odu, spokesperson of the Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
According to the statement, no casualties or injuries involving Nigerian citizens in Iran have been recorded, and the situation is under control.
The Chairman and CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, reiterated the government’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians living abroad, stressing the importance of robust diplomatic support, especially during emergencies.
She commended the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran for its swift and proactive response, which included temporarily relocating consular operations to Armenia and moving Nigerian residents to designated safe zones in Shomal, Qom, and Gazvin—marked as muster points in the event of an evacuation.
“We remain committed to the safety and well-being of all Nigerians in the diaspora,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
In the wake of a viral video featuring a Nigerian man making unverified claims about being stranded, the embassy clarified that the individual in question had been previously incarcerated in Iran for offences related to human trafficking and drug smuggling. Though he was freed on humanitarian grounds despite a deportation order, he had earlier refused to return to Nigeria before the recent unrest.
“Our responsibility is to all Nigerians, regardless of their situation. While we do not condone criminal activities, we intervened in the spirit of national duty,” the embassy stated.
Meanwhile, Dabiri-Erewa has also cautioned against the criminalisation of migration in public discourse, urging the media to adopt a more balanced and informed approach. She emphasised that while irregular migration poses serious risks, the decision to migrate should not be equated with criminal intent.
“Let us stop criminalising migration,” she said, adding that many Nigerians in the diaspora are making valuable contributions to global development and should not be judged by the actions of a few.