The Iranian government has expressed its readiness to support Nigeria in tackling terrorism, amid recent allegations by Israel that Tehran is sponsoring extremist groups in the region.
Iran’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mahdavi Raja, said his country is willing to cooperate with Nigeria by sharing its experience in combating terrorism.
Raja made the remark during an interview on Arise Television, where he dismissed claims that Iran sponsors Islamic movements in Nigeria.
His response followed allegations by the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, who accused the Iranian government of supporting Islamic movements in Nigeria and across West Africa as part of efforts to spread terrorism globally.
“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,” Freeman had alleged.
The claims also came amid protests by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shi’ites, in several states following the reported killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, during recent United States–Israeli strikes on Tehran.
However, the IMN Media Forum rejected Freeman’s allegation, describing it as misleading.
The forum’s chairman, Ammar Rajab, said the accusation could be an attempt to justify what he called “false-flag terrorism.”
“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,” Rajab said in a statement.
Responding to the controversy, Raja explained that rallies held by Shi’ites and other Muslim groups in Nigeria were simply expressions of solidarity and spiritual connection with the late Iranian leader.
“After the assassination of our supreme leader, there have been peaceful rallies, funerals and mourning occasions,” the envoy 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 stressed that Iran has consistently condemned terrorism and remains willing to work with Nigeria and other countries affected by insurgency.
“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 ambassador further described Iran as a victim of terrorism, noting that the country has repeatedly condemned attacks in Nigeria, across 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 added.
“We condemn terrorist attacks and the crimes they have committed in Nigeria and across Africa multiple times.”
