Iran Offers to Support Nigeria in Fight Against Terrorism
Iran’s ambassador to Nigeria, Mahdavi Raja, has expressed Tehran’s readiness to support the country in its fight against terrorism, amid allegations by Israel that Iran sponsors extremist groups in the region.
Raja stated this during an interview on Arise Television, explaining that Islamic groups in Nigeria only maintain spiritual and cultural ties with Iran and not political relationships.
His remarks came after Israel’s ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, accused the Iranian government of sponsoring Islamic movements in Nigeria and West Africa as part of efforts to spread terror globally.
Freeman made the allegation on Friday, saying Nigeria had been affected by Iran’s activities.
“We’ve seen Iran spreading terror. We’ve seen them developing a ballistic missile programme and a nuclear programme. Nigeria has been on the receiving end of terrorism from Iran,” he said.
The comment followed protests by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, in several states over the killing of Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, during recent US-Israeli strikes on Tehran.
Reacting to the claim, the IMN Media Forum dismissed Freeman’s remarks, describing them as “possible false-flag terrorism by the Israelis”.
“It is both inappropriate and unacceptable for the representative of a state widely found guilty of committing genocide and grave violations of international laws to lecture others about terrorism or security,” Ammar Rajab, chairman of the forum, said in a statement on Saturday.
Addressing the allegations on Sunday, Raja said the rallies organised by Shi’ite groups and other supporters in Nigeria were expressions of grief over the death of the Iranian leader and reflected a spiritual bond among Muslims.
“After the assassination of our supreme leader, there have been peaceful rallies, funerals, and mourning occasions,” he said.
“This does not mean that Iran is defending those groups. It is a moral and spiritual connection because they are Muslims, and we are Muslims.”
Raja also maintained that Iran has consistently condemned terrorism and is willing to collaborate with countries battling insurgency, including Nigeria.
“We are ready to lend a helping hand. As an ambassador here, I tell Nigerian officials that we are ready to assist in combating terrorism,” he said.
“We know that Nigeria faces threats from Boko Haram, ISWAP, and others. We are ready to share our experience in counterterrorism, as we have extensive experience in the region.”
The envoy further stressed that Iran itself has been a victim of terrorism and has repeatedly taken positions against terrorist attacks in Nigeria, Africa and other parts of the world.
“We are victims, and we are ready to cooperate with African countries to combat terrorism, drawing from our experience,” Raja said.
“We condemn terrorist attacks and the crimes they have committed in Nigeria and across Africa multiple times.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
