NIGERIAN TRAVELLERS STRANDED AMID US–ISRAEL–IRAN CONFLICT

By: Muftau Fatimo 

Nigerians travelling to or from Qatar, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have been left stranded amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran.

The crisis has prompted several international carriers — including Air France, Air India, Turkish Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Air Algerie, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Lufthansa — to announce widespread flight cancellations.

Following the airstrikes on Iran, the country reportedly launched retaliatory attacks on US military bases in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, among others.

Passengers scheduled to depart Nigeria via Qatar Airways on Saturday morning were prevented from boarding their flights.

The media gathered that a significant number of flights across Middle Eastern countries were cancelled on Saturday after several nations closed their airspace amid escalating attacks and counterattacks involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

The civil aviation authority in Syria announced the partial closure of its southern airspace along the Israeli border for 12 hours.

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Meanwhile, Jordan’s Air Force was reportedly conducting military drills to safeguard the kingdom’s airspace.

Kuwait also shut its airspace, with its military later confirming it had intercepted incoming missiles.

In addition, Russia’s air transport authority, Rosaviatsia, announced the suspension of all commercial flights to both Israel and Iran following the strikes, pending further notice.

The media gathered that a significant number of flights across Middle Eastern countries were cancelled on Saturday after several nations closed their airspace amid escalating attacks and counterattacks involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

The civil aviation authority in Syria announced the partial closure of its southern airspace along the Israeli border for 12 hours.

Meanwhile, Jordan’s Air Force was reportedly conducting military drills to safeguard the kingdom’s airspace.

Kuwait also shut its airspace, with its military later confirming it had intercepted incoming missiles.

In addition, Russia’s air transport authority, Rosaviatsia, announced the suspension of all commercial flights to both Israel and Iran following the strikes, pending further notice.

Qatar Airways Group, in a statement on Saturday, announced a temporary suspension of flights due to Qatari airspace closure.

The aviation company stressed the temporary suspension of its flights to and from Doha due to the closure of Qatari airspace.

The statement partly read, “The safety of our passengers and employees is always our highest priority, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Also, Air India suspended flights to all destinations in the Middle East.

Speaking through its X account, the airline said, “In view of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East, all Air India flights to all destinations in the Middle East have been suspended.”

The Chairman of the International Airlines Operators Committee, Damilola Ogunyeye, confirmed that outbound airlines were beginning to cancel flights following the closure of airspaces in the troubled zones.

Ogunyeye said, “It is an unfortunate situation that we have currently in the world; more trouble to travel experience and people will start having less confidence in safety in their travel via air. As we all know, in the sky there is no parking space when things happen, so it’s quite sad, but we only hope that things will soon come back to normal.

Today, Qatar cancelled, Emirates cancelled because they don’t want to take any risk and in aviation, safety comes first. We don’t take risks, not even when we don’t know how much things can escalate. We can only pray that things get better fast and peace comes back to reign in the troubled regions.”

Also, the President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agents, Yinka Folami, said passengers had become stuck after the cancellation of their travel plans.

He said, “Yes, airlines have started turning passengers back home. Just this morning, Qatar Airways asked passengers to disembark and return home because the airspaces have been shut. There are dangers in the airspace and you know safety is most paramount in aviation.”

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, in a statement on Saturday, warned that ongoing restrictions were affecting international flight operations to and from Nigeria.

According to the agency, several scheduled flights linking Nigerian airports with Middle Eastern destinations have either been cancelled or delayed as airlines adjust routes to avoid conflict zones.

FAAN advised affected passengers to maintain direct communication with their airlines for updated information.

The statement partly read, “Passengers affected by these disruptions are strongly advised to contact their respective airlines directly for up-to-date information on flight status, rebooking options and further guidance.”

The agency said it was working closely with international aviation regulators and airline operators to track developments and ensure passenger safety remained paramount.

“FAAN continues to monitor the situation in collaboration with relevant aviation authorities and airline operators and will provide updates as necessary.

“We regret the inconvenience and appreciate the understanding and cooperation of the travelling public,” the authority added.

The United States and Israel have struck multiple locations across Iran, including the capital, Tehran, in what US President Donald Trump described as ‘major combat operations’.

The attacks started after failed negotiations between the US and Iran over the latter’s suspected nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

This was after weeks of mounting threats from Trump and eight months after the US and Israel waged a 12-day war against Iran.

Iran has struck back with missiles aimed at northern Israel and at US military bases in the Middle East.

Details of casualties and damage in Iran and Israel are sparse at the moment.

FG Issues Advisory to Nigerians in Iran, Gulf States

The Federal Government has issued a warning to Nigerians living in Iran and neighbouring Gulf countries amid rising tensions in the region.

In a statement released on Saturday, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the government was closely monitoring the evolving and volatile situation in the Middle East.

The ministry cautioned that the heightened tension could escalate further and urged Nigerians in the affected areas to take necessary precautions.

Citizens were also advised to remain vigilant at all times and avoid sensitive or high-risk locations.

“Avoid areas known to be strategic, military, or government installations, as these could be potential flashpoints,” the ministry said.

Nigerians have been urged to limit non-essential movement and travel within the country until the security situation becomes clearer and more stable, and to steer clear of large gatherings and public demonstrations.

The statement further emphasised that citizens must strictly adhere to all security and safety directives issued by local authorities to safeguard their well-being, stressing that full cooperation with law enforcement agencies is essential for personal safety.