THE Federal Government has said it is closely monitoring the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, as it continues preparations to evacuate its citizens from the region should the situation deteriorate again, The PUNCH gathered on Tuesday.
Following weeks of escalating violence between the two Middle Eastern countries, a ceasefire was announced on Tuesday by the United States President Donald Trump.
Last week, the Federal Government disclosed it was preparing to evacuate Nigerians stranded in the affected areas, particularly in Iran.
As of last week, nearly 1,000 Nigerians in Iran were awaiting evacuation, pending final approval from Armenian authorities to allow safe passage across the border.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran had completed logistics to transport citizens to Armenia, from where they would be airlifted to Nigeria via the capital, Yerevan.
However, while bus transportation had been secured, border clearance from Armenia was still pending.
To facilitate a smooth evacuation process, the Nigerian Embassy also submitted updated lists of evacuees—including personal details—to Iranian authorities.
Coordination with Tehran aims to prevent delays at the border and ensure an orderly transfer.
Giving updates to this newspaper on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the situation remained fluid.
“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,” he said.
The latest crisis erupted on June 13, when Israel launched widespread airstrikes targeting more than 100 sites across Iran, including nuclear and military facilities.
Iran retaliated with missile attacks, leading to significant casualties on both sides.
According to Iran’s Health Ministry, at least 610 civilians have been killed and more than 4,700 injured since the start of the conflict.
Among the dead were 13 children, several healthcare workers, and emergency responders.
Multiple hospitals and ambulances were also reportedly damaged in the strikes.
The violence prompted mass evacuations by several countries.
Germany, Slovakia, Greece, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic were among the nations that repatriated citizens, with some evacuees crossing land borders on foot before being flown out.
Meanwhile, Trump, who brokered the ceasefire, delivered a series of blunt remarks on Tuesday, criticising both Iran and Israel for violating the agreement.
Despite the criticism, he later confirmed that the ceasefire was holding and urged Israel to call off its air operations.