By Gabriel Ameh
Residents in the United Arab Emirates have been left shaken after a wave of missile and drone attacks reportedly launched by Iran injured more than 140 people, including several Nigeria nationals living and working in the Gulf state.
According to multiple reports, the attacks involved ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) targeting areas around major cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. While the UAE’s air defence systems intercepted most of the incoming threats, falling debris from destroyed missiles and drones caused damage to civilian infrastructure and ignited fires in some residential zones.
Authorities confirmed that those injured include nationals from several countries, among them Nigeria, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and others residing in the UAE.
The UAE government condemned the attacks, describing them as a “flagrant violation of national sovereignty and international law,” while emergency services responded to contain fires and treat the wounded.
The incident comes amid rising regional tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, with security analysts warning that the situation in the Gulf region could remain volatile.
Thousands of Nigerians live and work across the UAE and other Gulf states, raising concerns among diaspora communities as authorities monitor the evolving security situation.
