By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has refuted reports attributing a statement to its spokesman that no distress calls had been received from Nigerians affected by the ongoing Middle East crisis.
In an official signed statement, the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols of the Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, clarified that he never issued such a statement.
According to him, contrary to the circulating claim, the Commission has received calls from a few Nigerians in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Iran making enquiries about possible evacuation arrangements should the security situation deteriorate.
He explained that while there have been enquiries, coordination efforts regarding any potential evacuation rest with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is working closely with relevant agencies to determine appropriate steps as events unfold.
The Commission urged Nigerians residing in affected countries to strictly adhere to official travel advisories issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to utilise the emergency contact numbers provided by the ministry for guidance and support.
NIDCOM further assured that the Federal Government is closely monitoring developments in the region and remains committed to taking all necessary measures to safeguard Nigerian lives abroad.
The clarification comes amid heightened tensions in parts of the Middle East, as concerned families at home seek accurate information about the safety and welfare of Nigerians in the region.
