US-Israel War On Iran: Nigerians Recount Experiences

Nigerians in the Middle East are sharing harrowing accounts of fear, disrupted travel and shelter-in-place orders amid the escalating US-Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory missile barrages.

Airtel’s Executive Vice-Chairman for Africa and the Middle East, Emeka Oparah, described a “whirlwind of deadly events” in a social media post from Dubai.

Landing on an Emirates flight from Lusaka yesterday morning, Oparah learned of the initial onslaught on Iran, which he called “particularly scary.” He noted the relief of not being stranded in Zambia with family in Dubai, amid what he described as inevitable conflict after months of “sabre-rattling rhetoric.”

Oparah confirmed reports that Iran’s Supreme Leader has been killed, fuelling outrage during Ramadan. In Dubai, he reported sounds of bombs near Jebel Ali port, the airport and Palm Jumeirah, with incidents also in Abu Dhabi. “People are scared, especially expats,” he wrote, while praising UAE preparedness: mobile alerts warned of missile attacks and intercepts protected key areas.

On Day 2, residents like Oparah remain indoors, away from windows, with evacuation bags ready. He urged prayers as the situation unfolds.

In Doha, Qatar, fellow Nigerians Charles Sampson Edgar and sailor Ibrahim echoed the anxiety in conversations with LEADERSHIP. Advised to stay indoors until security improves, Edgar, who lives with his family, expressed fear over a “barrage of missiles” from Iran, though he could not detail damage or casualties.

“People are very scared to go about their businesses,” he said. Ibrahim, who works six-month shifts on ships at sea before returning to Nigeria, faces indefinite delay due to widespread flight disruptions. “I cannot return home now,” he told our correspondent.

The conflict has unleashed a flood of misinformation, heightening tensions for expatriates far from home.