BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS
Nigerians were among more than 140 residents injured after Iran launched a wave of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates, heightening fears for thousands of Nigerians living and working in the Gulf nation.
The UAE Ministry of Defence said on Saturday that its air defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones fired from Iran, describing the assault as a significant escalation of the ongoing tensions in the region.
In a statement posted on its official X account, the ministry said its air defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the latest attack on March 14.
According to the ministry, the strikes left six people dead and 141 others injured, including foreign nationals.
“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the statement said.
“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.”
Authorities said those killed in the attacks included citizens of the UAE and foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
Although the exact locations of the casualties were not disclosed, officials confirmed that some of the injured victims included Nigerian residents.
Others affected were nationals of Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The list also included Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.
The development has raised concern among Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens live and work across sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.
Data from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission indicates that the UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, particularly in the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The Nigerian government had previously raised concerns over the safety and welfare of its citizens in the country amid diplomatic tensions and visa restrictions affecting Nigerians.
Saturday’s attacks have further heightened anxiety within the diaspora community as the Gulf region faces increasing military confrontations.
In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the country remained fully prepared to confront any threats to its security.
“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability,” the ministry said.
In a separate update, the ministry added that its defence systems were still actively intercepting incoming missiles and drones.
Regional media reports indicate that the attacks are part of a wider escalation of hostilities involving Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.
According to Al Jazeera, Iran has sustained missile and drone strikes across parts of the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring countries.
The strikes were reportedly in retaliation for military operations carried out by the United States and Israel against Iranian positions in the region.
Reports indicated that Tehran targeted several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, late on Friday and into Saturday.
The attacks also caused infrastructural damage in parts of the UAE.
Meanwhile, Iran’s elite military wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that US interests in the UAE could remain legitimate targets.
Iranian state media reported that the group issued the warning after US forces allegedly struck Iranian-controlled islands.
The IRGC reportedly mentioned ports, docks and military facilities linked to the United States as potential targets and urged residents in the UAE to avoid areas around such installations to minimise civilian casualties.
Security analysts warn that the growing exchange of threats and strikes across the Gulf could disrupt economic and aviation activities in the region if the conflict escalates further.
As of the time of filing this report, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, had not issued an official statement on the incident, Frontline Reporters gathered.
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2026-03-15
