Israeli envoy accuses Iran of sponsoring Islamic groups in Nigeria to spread terror
Israel’s ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, has alleged that the Iranian government is sponsoring Islamic movements in Nigeria as part of a broader strategy to spread terror globally.
His remarks came amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following recent coordinated airstrikes by the US and Israel on Iranian targets.
On Monday, members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, staged protests in several states, including Lagos, Kano, Niger, Sokoto, Gombe, and Kaduna, condemning the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, during the strikes. Protesters carried Iranian flags, portraits of Khamenei, and placards denouncing the United States and Israel.
Speaking in an interview on AriseTV, Freeman claimed that the IMN and other groups in Nigeria are backed by Tehran. He warned that Iran’s hostility toward Israel and the West poses a global threat, noting its longstanding support for groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, as well as attacks in countries including Argentina, Bulgaria, the UK, Australia, and Nigeria.
Freeman also highlighted Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, saying defensive measures against Iran’s ambitions are justified.
“When a country says that they want to destroy you… and they are trying to build a nuclear weapon, it’s absolutely justified,” he said.
In response, Iran’s ambassador to Nigeria, Mahdavi Raja, defended Tehran’s strikes on US military bases in neighbouring Gulf countries, describing them as lawful retaliation for prior US and Israeli actions.
Freeman emphasised that Israel is prepared to support Nigeria in addressing any spillover of terror-related threats. “We are willing and eager to partner with Nigeria according to Nigeria’s needs and desires in order to help tackle instability within Nigeria,” he said.
