Nigerians were among over 140 people injured after Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles and drones at the United Arab Emirates, escalating tensions in the Gulf region.
In a statement posted on its official X account, the UAE Ministry of Defence described the attack as a major escalation and assured residents that the country’s defence systems remain fully prepared to deal with security threats.
“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront attempts to undermine the state’s security while safeguarding its sovereignty and national interests,” the statement read.
It also noted that since the beginning of the current confrontation, UAE air defence systems had intercepted 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and about 1,600 drones launched from Iran.
Regional reports indicate that the latest strikes are part of a wider escalation between Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East. Iran is said to have carried out missile and drone attacks across parts of the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE.
The UAE Ministry of Defence, said the country’s air defence systems intercepted several of the missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles fired from Iran during the attack on March 14.
The ministry said its defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the assault.
The attack reportedly left six people dead and 141 others injured, including foreign nationals living and working in the UAE. Although authorities did not disclose the exact locations where the casualties occurred, they confirmed that some of the injured victims were Nigerians.
Other affected nationals include residents from Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, India, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and several other countries.
The incident has sparked concern among the Nigerian community in the UAE, where thousands of citizens reside and work, particularly in sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.
The country remains one of the major destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, especially in cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The strikes were reportedly in retaliation for military operations carried out by the United States and Israel against Iranian positions in the region.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also warned that United States interests in the UAE, including ports, docks and military installations, could become potential targets.
Security analysts have warned that continued attacks and rising tensions in the Gulf could disrupt economic and aviation activities across the region if the conflict escalates further.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not issued an official statement on the incident as of the time this report was filed.
