IRAN MISSILE, DRONE ATTACK ON UAE LEAVES SIX DEAD, NIGERIANS AMONG 141 INJURED

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By ‘Sefiu Ajape

Several Nigerians were among more than 140 residents injured after Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates, heightening fears for thousands of Nigerians living and working in the Gulf nation.

The UAE Ministry of Defence said on Saturday that its air defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones fired from Iran, describing the attack as a major escalation in the region’s ongoing tensions.

In a statement shared on its official X handle, the ministry said its air defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the latest assault on March 14.

It added that the attacks left six people dead and 141 others injured, including foreign nationals.

“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry said.

“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran.”

According to the ministry, those killed in the attacks included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

Although the authorities did not specify the exact locations where the casualties occurred, the ministry confirmed that the injured victims were from several countries, including Nigeria.

Other affected residents were from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

The list also included Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.

The incident has sparked concern among Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens work in sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.

Data from Nigeria’s diaspora commission shows that the UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, particularly in the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

In recent years, the Nigerian government has raised concerns about the safety and welfare of its citizens in the country amid diplomatic tensions and visa restrictions affecting Nigerians.

Saturday’s attacks have heightened anxiety within the diaspora community as the Gulf region faces growing military confrontations.

In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the country remained fully prepared to confront any threats to its security.

“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the ministry said.

In a separate update, the ministry said its defence systems were still intercepting incoming projectiles.

“UAE air defences are dealing with Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” it said.

Regional media reports indicate that the strikes are part of a wider escalation of hostilities between Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.

According to Al Jazeera, Iran has continued sustained missile and drone attacks across the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring states.

The strikes were said to be in retaliation for military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian positions in the region.

Tehran reportedly targeted several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, late on Friday and into Saturday.

The attacks also caused infrastructural damage in parts of the UAE.

Meanwhile, Iran’s elite military wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that US interests in the UAE would remain legitimate targets.

Iranian state media reported that the group issued the warning after US forces attacked Iranian-controlled islands.

The IRGC specifically mentioned ports, docks and military installations linked to the United States as potential targets.

It also urged residents in the UAE to evacuate areas around ports and military facilities to avoid civilian casualties.

Security analysts say the growing exchange of threats and strikes across the Gulf could destabilise the region’s economic and aviation activities if the conflict escalates further.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.