Israeli Envoy Accuses Iran of Sponsoring Islamic Movements in Nigeria
By Comfort Chukwukelue
The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, has accused the Iranian government of sponsoring Islamic movements in Nigeria as part of what he described as a broader campaign to spread terrorism globally.
Freeman made the allegation during an interview on ARISE News, where he claimed that Tehran supports groups operating within Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.
“We know there are certain movements, for example, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, that is sponsored and backed by the Iranian regime,” Freeman said.
His comments come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets. The attacks reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, triggering protests in several countries and escalating the conflict in the region.
In Nigeria, members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, staged demonstrations in multiple states including Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Niger, Gombe, Bauchi, and Yobe. Protesters waved Iranian flags and carried portraits of Khamenei while condemning the United States and Israel over the strikes.
Freeman alleged that Iran’s involvement in sponsoring militant networks extends beyond Nigeria, describing Tehran’s hostility toward Israel and Western nations as a longstanding policy.
“For 47 years, Iran has had a policy of ‘death to Israel, death to America’. Its entire state apparatus has been sponsoring terrorism around the world to spread terror,” he said.
He further accused Iran of supporting militant groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, while also linking Tehran to attacks carried out in various parts of the world.
Freeman also stated that Israel is willing to cooperate with Nigeria to address potential security threats arising from extremist networks.
“As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, 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 added.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mahdavi Raja, defended Tehran’s military actions, describing recent missile and drone strikes on U.S. military bases in Gulf countries as a legitimate response to attacks by the United States and Israel.
