Iran’s missile strike on UAE injures Nigerians, sparks fear among diaspora community

Nigerians were among the more than 140 foreign nationals injured after Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones at the United Arab Emirates, intensifying safety concerns for the thousands of Nigerian citizens living and working in the Gulf state.

The UAE Ministry of Defence reported on Saturday that its air defense systems successfully intercepted numerous missiles and drones fired from Iran, characterizing the assault as a significant escalation in the prevailing regional tensions.

In a statement released on its official X handle, the ministry detailed that its air defense units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the attack on March 14.

The offensive resulted in six fatalities and left 141 individuals injured, including numerous foreign nationals.

“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,” the ministry stated.

While the UAE confirmed that those killed included citizens of the UAE as well as nationals from Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, the list of injured encompassed a broader range of countries.

Alongside Nigeria, affected residents hailed from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and a host of other nations including Ghana, Turkey, and Yemen.

The attack has rattled Nigerian communities across the UAE, a primary destination for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, with large populations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah working in sectors like construction, hospitality, and trade.

This incident heightens existing anxieties, particularly after recent diplomatic tensions and visa restrictions between the two countries had already raised concerns about the welfare of Nigerian citizens abroad.

The UAE Ministry of Defence affirmed its readiness to confront any threats to national security, stating it would firmly address any attempts to undermine the state’s stability and sovereignty.

Regional media suggest the strikes are part of a wider escalation between Iran and Western-backed forces, reportedly in retaliation for military operations by the US and Israel against Iranian positions.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that US interests in the UAE remain legitimate targets, advising civilians to evacuate areas near ports and military installations.

As of the time of this report, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not issued an official statement regarding the incident.

Security analysts warn that the escalating conflict could destabilize the region’s economic and aviation sectors if tensions continue to rise.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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