At least one Nigerian has been identified among more than 100 people injured following the interception of Iranian ballistic missiles in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Authorities in the Gulf nation said their air defence systems have been actively responding to retaliatory missile attacks launched by Iran since the conflict began on February 28.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence disclosed that its air defence units had detected a total of 262 ballistic missiles fired from Iran since the start of the hostilities.
According to the ministry, the country’s defence systems successfully intercepted the majority of the missiles.
Officials said 241 missiles were intercepted before reaching their targets, while 19 others landed harmlessly in the sea.
However, two missiles reportedly fell within the UAE’s territory, resulting in casualties and injuries.
Authorities confirmed that the attacks left six people dead and more than 120 others injured.
“These attacks resulted in six deaths of Emirati, Pakistani, Nepalese and Bangladeshi nationalities, and 122 cases of minor and moderate injuries of Emirati, Egyptian, Sudanese, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese, Afghan, Bahraini, Comorian, Turkish, Iraqi, Nepalese, Nigerian, Omani, Jordanian and Palestinian nationalities,” the ministry said.
Officials did not disclose the exact number of casualties from each nationality.
The missile strikes come as the UAE continues to repel missile and drone attacks from Iran.
Iran reportedly launched the strikes in retaliation over allegations that the UAE allowed the United States to conduct military operations from American bases located within its territory.
The attacks have heightened tensions in the region, raising concerns over the safety of residents and foreign nationals.
On Wednesday, the UAE defence ministry said its forces were intercepting additional missiles and drones launched from Iran.
The authorities assured residents that the country remained fully prepared to counter any threats.
Officials also stressed that security agencies were taking necessary measures to protect the country’s national interests and ensure the safety of people living in the UAE.
Meanwhile, Nigerians stranded across several Gulf countries have appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria to prepare evacuation arrangements in case the security situation deteriorates further.
Some Nigerians living in the region have urged the government to consider organising repatriation flights should the conflict escalate.
It remains unclear how many Nigerians are currently trapped in Iran or other Middle Eastern countries affected by the ongoing hostilities.
Countries such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia remain popular travel, employment and transit destinations for Nigerian citizens, making the safety of Nigerians in the region a growing concern.
