Iran’s ambassador to Nigeria, Mahdavi Raja, has reaffirmed Tehran’s willingness to assist Nigeria in its fight against terrorism, amid Israeli allegations that Iran sponsors extremist groups in West Africa
Raja made the remarks in an interview with Arise Television, emphasizing that Islamic groups in Nigeria maintain only spiritual and cultural ties with Iran, not political connections.
His comments followed accusations from Israel’s ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, who claimed on Friday that Iran supports Islamic movements in Nigeria and the wider region as part of efforts to spread terror globally.
Freeman also referenced Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs, adding that “Nigeria has been on the receiving end of terrorism from Iran.”
The remarks came shortly after protests by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, in several states mourning the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, during recent US-Israeli strikes in Tehran.
Responding to Freeman’s allegations, the IMN Media Forum dismissed them as “possible false-flag terrorism by the Israelis.” Ammar Rajab, the forum’s chairman, described the comments as “both inappropriate and unacceptable, coming from a state widely found guilty of committing genocide and grave violations of international law.”
Raja clarified on Sunday that the Shi’ite rallies and other demonstrations in Nigeria were peaceful expressions of grief and a reflection of shared religious and spiritual bonds.
“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.”
The ambassador also highlighted Iran’s readiness to collaborate with Nigeria in combating terrorism. “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. 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.”
Raja stressed that Iran itself has been a victim of terrorism and consistently condemns terrorist attacks worldwide, including in Nigeria and across Africa. “We are victims, and we are ready to cooperate with African countries to combat terrorism, drawing from our experience. We condemn terrorist attacks and the crimes they have committed in Nigeria and across Africa multiple times,” he added.
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