The President of the Nigerian Community in Lebanon, Mr Roland Aigbovbiosa, speaks with IMOLEAYO OYEDEYI on the precarious situation of some Nigerians trapped in the country as the Israel/Hezbollah conflict worsens

As the ongoing conflict between Israel Hezbollah escalates, can you share with us the current condition of Nigerians in Lebanon?

I will say some of them are panicking, while others are not very much afraid of what is going on. Lebanon is not a very big country, but there are some safe areas in it. Let me just give you an account of the war. When it started, a lot of Nigerians were in the Southern part of Lebanon, where the fight is mostly taking place. But when the war began, we (the community) alongside the embassy tried to move Nigerians out of the troubled area.

We brought them to Central Beirut and found some places for them to stay. But there are still two Nigerians in the war-ravaged areas. I spoke with them yesterday (Friday) and they are in safe hands. One of them is from Cross Rivers State and the other is from the Arewa community.

But for those that we brought to the city and those of us who reside there, we are all very scared now. When the war started, Beirut was unaffected. And that was why we quickly moved our Nigerian brothers and sisters to the city. But now, the war has spread to other areas in the country, including the city. And that is why many of us are afraid because we cannot predict. We don?t know what is going to happen to us next as the war is gradually coming towards the heart of Lebanon. This is the problem. Many of us are scared. It?s like something bad may strike anytime soon. So, we need help. A lot of people want to flee the country and they need assistance to go back to Nigeria.

But the Federal Government has asked Nigerians to get in touch with the Nigerian Mission for documentation and subsequent evacuation. Haven?t the people been complying with the directive?

Well, the government asked me to collect the names of the people that want to leave. And I am currently doing that. Some people have come forward to register their names. And as I said before, there are some other Nigerians that are just watching. They want to see whether the war will escalate beyond a bearable level before they move. So, I have only names of a few people that want to go immediately.

The Federal Government has said that once I am done with the list, I should get back to them. I have told the people that the government is ready to evacuate them if they can come forward to put down their names.

How many Nigerians have registered for evacuation?

Though the number is still under 20, we have kept getting people to come for documentation. As I said earlier, some people are yet to decide. And I cannot decide for them. Some of them want to come, but they are watching and monitoring the situation. It may be that some of those that have yet to register have reasoned that there is nothing for them to fall back on when they get back to Nigeria. And that is possible, because if they go back to Nigeria, there is no possibility that they will come back to Lebanon after the war. So, it?s a tricky situation. The decision is somehow difficult for some of them to take. (Sunday PUNCH)

Update news