Several Nigerians were among over 140 residents injured after Iran launched ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates, in an attack that has heightened security concerns across the Gulf region.
The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed on Saturday that its air defence systems intercepted a number of missiles and drones fired from Iran, describing the development as a significant escalation of the current regional tensions.
The ministry, in a statement shared on its official X handle, said its defence units confronted nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the assault which occurred on March 14.
According to the ministry, the attacks resulted in the deaths of six persons while 141 others sustained injuries, including several foreign nationals.
“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry said.
It added that since the beginning of what it described as Iranian aggression, the country’s air defence systems had intercepted 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and about 1,600 drones launched from Iran.
Authorities said the victims who lost their lives included citizens of the UAE and foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
Although the ministry did not disclose the precise locations where the casualties occurred, it confirmed that those injured were from multiple countries, including Nigeria.
Other affected residents were said to be from 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 concerns within Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens are employed across sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.
Available diaspora data shows that the UAE remains one of the leading destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, particularly in cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
In recent years, the Nigerian government has also expressed concerns over the welfare of its citizens in the country amid diplomatic disagreements and visa restrictions affecting Nigerians.
Saturday’s attacks have further heightened anxiety among members of the Nigerian diaspora as tensions continue to rise across the Gulf.
The UAE Ministry of Defence, however, maintained that the country was fully prepared to respond to any threat 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, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the statement read.
In a separate update, the ministry noted that its defence systems were still actively intercepting missiles and drones launched towards the country.
Regional reports indicate that the attacks form part of escalating hostilities involving Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.
Media reports said Iran has sustained missile and drone strikes across the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring countries, reportedly in response to military operations carried out by the United States and Israel against Iranian interests in the region.
Iran was said to have targeted several Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, late on Friday and into Saturday.
The strikes were also reported to have caused damage to infrastructure in parts of the UAE.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that United States interests within the UAE could remain potential targets.
Iranian state media reported that the warning followed attacks by US forces on Iranian-controlled islands.
The group reportedly identified ports, docks and military installations linked to the US as possible targets, while advising residents to stay away from areas around ports and military facilities to avoid harm.
Security analysts have warned that the growing exchange of threats and military actions 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 had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
