Missile Interception in UAE: Nigerian Among Injured
At least one Nigerian has been identified among dozens of people affected after Iranian ballistic missiles were intercepted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The UAE has been repelling retaliatory strikes from Iran over allegations that it allowed the United States to launch attacks from American military bases located in the Gulf country.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the UAE said its air defence systems have detected 262 ballistic missiles fired by Iran since the conflict began on February 28.
According to the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence, 241 of the missiles were intercepted, while 19 fell into the sea and two landed within the country’s territory.
The ministry said the attacks resulted in six deaths involving nationals of the UAE, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh, as well as 122 cases of minor and moderate injuries affecting people from several countries.
Those injured include nationals of the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Turkey, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan and Palestine.
However, the ministry did not specify the number of casualties from each country.
On Wednesday, the defence ministry said it was intercepting additional missiles and drones launched from Iran, adding that the country remains prepared to respond to any threats and safeguard its national interests.
Meanwhile, Nigerians stranded in Gulf countries have appealed to the federal government to arrange repatriation flights for their evacuation.
It is not yet clear how many Nigerians are currently stranded in Iran or other parts of the Middle East affected by the conflict.
Countries such as Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are popular travel and transit destinations for Nigerians.
Reacting to the development, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), said the Nigerian government will begin evacuating its citizens once airspace in the region is reopened.
