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Nigeria Condemns Deadly Assault After Houthi Missile Attack on King Khalid Airport Leaves 12 Dead, 309 Injured
Nigeria Condemns Deadly Assault After Houthi Missile Attack on King Khalid Airport Leaves 12 Dead, 309 Injured
Nigeria condemns the deadly Houthi attack on King Khalid International Airport, describing it as a dangerous escalation and violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty.
Saudi aviation authorities say 12 people, including four Saudi citizens and eight foreign nationals, were killed, while 309 others were injured, some critically.
The attack forced the temporary suspension of operations at Riyadh airport amid widespread flight cancellations and growing concerns over the safety of civilian aviation.
The strike follows a series of deadly attacks on Saudi airports as the Houthis intensify assaults on civilian infrastructure amid the widening regional conflict.
October 11, () – The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly condemned the deadly Houthi missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which killed 12 people and left 309 others injured, describing the assault as a dangerous escalation that threatens civilian lives and regional stability.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria said the attack, carried out on Saturday, October 10, flagrantly disregarded the safety of civilians, violated the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and undermined efforts to promote peace and security in the Middle East.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria strongly condemns the attack by Houthi Militia on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, 10 October 2026, which reportedly resulted in the tragic loss of twelve civilian lives and left more than 300 people injured,” the Ministry said.
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Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) subsequently put the number of injured at 309, saying some of the victims were in critical condition.
According to GACA, the 12 fatalities comprised four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals, as well as a Palestinian, an American, an Egyptian, a Jordanian, a Syrian and a Sudanese.
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Nigeria warned that the attack represented more than an isolated security incident, particularly amid the mounting strikes on civilian facilities in Saudi Arabia.
“Nigeria considers the incident a dangerous escalation, that flagrantly disregards the safety of civilian life, violates the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and undermines ongoing efforts to promote peace, security and stability in the Middle East,” the Foreign Ministry said.
It called on all parties to respect international law and exercise restraint to prevent the rapidly deteriorating security situation from spiralling further.
“Nigeria reiterates its call on all parties to respect international law, exercise utmost restraint, and refrain from any further action that could escalate tensions, endanger civilian lives, damage civilian infrastructure or further undermine regional peace and security,” it added.
The Federal Government expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and extended its condolences to the families of those killed.
It also wished those injured a speedy and full recovery, while emphasising the need to respect Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and protect civilians and critical infrastructure.
Nigeria commended the Saudi government for what it described as its prompt emergency response following the attack and acknowledged its efforts to safeguard the security and well-being of people in the Kingdom.
The statement, signed by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, said Nigeria remained committed to diplomatic initiatives and constructive dialogue as the path towards containing the widening crisis.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria reaffirms its unwavering commitment to supporting diplomatic initiatives and constructive dialogue aimed at advancing international peace, security and stability. In this regard, Nigeria supports all genuine efforts to de-escalate tensions, promote regional stability, protect civilian lives and safeguard critical infrastructure in the Middle East,” it said.
Riyadh Airport Operations Disrupted
King Khalid International Airport
The Saturday attack caused major disruption at King Khalid International Airport, one of Saudi Arabia’s principal international aviation hubs.
GACA temporarily suspended operations at the airport while authorities assessed the damage caused by the strike.
“This attack comes amidst ongoing blatant assaults targeting civil aviation facilities in the Kingdom,” the Saudi aviation authority said.
At least 291 flights at the Riyadh airport were reported cancelled over 24 hours, according to flight-tracking data cited following the attack.
Several international carriers had already suspended or altered services to Riyadh and other Saudi destinations amid the deteriorating security situation.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency had also expanded its guidance concerning Saudi airspace, warning about the Houthis’ ability to strike deeper inside the Kingdom, including Riyadh, and what it described as a greater focus on aviation infrastructure.
The combination of missile and drone attacks and military interception operations has heightened concerns about the safety of civilian aircraft operating in the region.
Saudi authorities advised passengers to contact their airlines before travelling to King Khalid International Airport, while the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry said people stranded abroad because of flight disruptions could contact Saudi diplomatic missions for assistance.
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