- Several Nigerians were injured after Iran launched missiles and drones at the United Arab Emirates
- The UAE air defence systems intercepted nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the March 14 attack
- The assault left six people dead and 141 injured, including foreign nationals.
- Meanwhile, the Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official response
Several Nigerians have been injured after Iran launched a wave of ballistic missiles and drones at the United Arab Emirates, escalating tensions across the Gulf and raising concerns for thousands of Nigerians living in the country.
The UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed on Saturday, March 15, that its air defence systems intercepted multiple missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles fired from Iran during the attack.
In a statement shared on its official X account, the ministry said its defence systems engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the March 14 assault.
The attack reportedly left six people dead and 141 others injured, including several foreign nationals.
“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran.
“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.
Authorities said those killed in the strikes included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
While officials did not disclose the exact locations of the casualties, they confirmed that several of the injured were from different countries, including Nigeria.
Other affected residents were reported to be from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The list also includes Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.
The development has heightened fears among Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens live and work, particularly in sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.
According to data from Nigeria’s diaspora commission, the UAE remains one of the leading destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, especially in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The Nigerian government had previously expressed concerns over the safety and welfare of its citizens in the UAE amid diplomatic tensions and visa restrictions affecting Nigerians.
Saturday’s attacks have further intensified anxieties within the diaspora community as military tensions continue to rise across the Gulf.
In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence reassured residents that the country’s security forces were prepared to counter any threats.
“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, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the ministry said.
In a separate update, the ministry added that its defence systems were still actively intercepting incoming attacks.
“UAE air defences are dealing with Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” it said.
Regional media reports indicate that the latest attacks are part of a wider escalation between Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.
According to Al Jazeera, Iran has continued sustained missile and drone strikes across the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring countries.
The strikes were reportedly launched in retaliation for military operations carried out by the United States and Israel against Iranian positions in the region.
Iran targeted several Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, late on Friday and into Saturday.
The attacks also reportedly caused damage to infrastructure in parts of the UAE.
Meanwhile, Iran’s elite military force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), warned that American interests in the UAE would remain legitimate targets.
Iranian state media reported that the warning followed US strikes on Iranian-controlled islands.
The IRGC specifically identified ports, docks and military installations linked to the United States as potential targets.
It also urged residents in the UAE to stay away from areas around ports and military facilities to avoid civilian casualties.
Security analysts warn that the growing exchange of threats and strikes across the Gulf could disrupt economic activities and aviation operations if the conflict continues to escalate.
As of the time of filing this report, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not issued any official statement on the incident.