Iran sponsoring Islamic movements in Nigeria to spread terror – Israeli envoy

File: Islamic movement protest in Nigeria

Michael Freeman, Israeli ambassador to Nigeria, has accused the Iranian government of sponsoring Islamic movements in Nigeria as part of efforts to spread terror across the globe.

His comments come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following 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 over the killing of Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, during recent US-Israeli strikes on Tehran. Demonstrators were seen in Lagos, Kano, Niger state, Sokoto, Gombe, and Kaduna condemning the military action, which reportedly led to Khamenei’s death alongside members of his family.

Similar protests were reported in Bauchi and Yobe. Protesters waved Iranian flags, displayed portraits of Khamenei, and carried placards denouncing both the United States and Israel while expressing solidarity with Iran.

Speaking on Friday during an interview on AriseTV, Freeman said the Israeli government is aware of Iran-backed Islamic groups operating in Nigeria.

“We know there are certain movements, for example, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, that is sponsored and backed by the Iranian regime,” Freeman said.

He alleged that Iran’s involvement is not limited to Nigeria but extends across West Africa, describing Tehran’s longstanding hostility toward Israel and the West as a global threat.

“For 47 years, Iran has had a policy of death to Israel, death to America. Its entire apparatus, its state structure, has been sponsoring terrorism, sponsoring organizations around the world to kill Israelis, Jews, to spread terror,” Freeman said.

“We’ve seen Iran spreading terror. We’ve seen them developing a ballistic missile program, and a nuclear program. Nigeria has been on the receiving end of terrorism from Iran.”