Survival tips for Nigerians trapped in Iran, other M-East countries

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Vehicles drive along an expressway against the backdrop of smoke rising after a strike on the Iranian capital of Tehran on March 5, 2026. Israel pounded Tehran with fresh strikes and Iran targeted Kurdish guerilla groups in Iraq on March 5 as a spiralling war in the Middle East engulfed the entire region. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)

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With the bombing campaigns by the United States of America and Israel, reports emerging from the Islamic Republic of Iran are harrowing. For the thousands of Nigerians caught in the crossfire—students, traders and visitors—they must “wait it out” or leave. The priority now is not career or assets but lives.

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They must have realised that the rules of engagement have changed. They are no longer in a functioning state; they are in a high-intensity combat zone. As a foreigner, the smartest thing to do when political crises morph towards imminent wars or major upheavals, is to close shop and leave. You can always come back when the situation normalises. But for those who left it too late, a few tips might help in safely navigating the coming hours, days or even months.

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Those who live in high-profile, strategic areas must move as far away as possible. Precision strikes target command centres, refineries, ports and military and security installations. Those staying within a five-kilometre radius of a government ministry, a telecommunications hub, or a military base, must move immediately. Seek refuge in purely residential, outlying suburbs or rural villages. In modern warfare, proximity to power is a death sentence.

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Expectedly, the Iranian authorities have seized control of the internet. Social media apps like WhatsApp, Tiktok or Telegram can no longer be relied upon for exit strategy. Smartphones become practically useless. Survival will depend on pre-planned meeting points with fellow Nigerians or other equally trapped foreign nationals.

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Keep your passport, yellow card, and residence permits on your person in a waterproof casing at all times. In the chaos of upheaval, your identity is your only shield against being mistaken for a combatant. The Iranian currency, the Rial, has practically collapsed. Access to major international currencies like the USD or EUR, might save lives. In a conflict zone, “hard” cash can be the only language that opens gates and secures passage for vehicles heading toward the borders.

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With the main international airports being targeted or shuttered for military use, the air return option is out of the question. Monitor the land borders with Turkey, Armenia or Azerbaijan. These routes are arduous but often remain the only viable routes for civilian exodus when the skies are closed.

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We hope the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will extend their emergency helplines to assist trapped Nigerians identify which border crossings have active consular presence. Those who have not already done so should immediately register their locations with the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran. Should a state-led evacuation occur, those on the registry are usually the first to be contacted. We call on the Federal Government to activate emergency charter flights to neighbouring countries for immediate evacuation.

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To our citizens trapped in Iran: stay low, stay quiet.

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