Iran backing Islamic groups in Nigeria, Israeli envoy alleges

Michael Freeman, the Israeli ambassador to Nigeria, has accused the Iranian government of sponsoring Islamic movements in Nigeria as part of a broader campaign to spread terrorism globally. His remarks come as tensions escalate in the Middle East following coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets.

Speaking on Friday during an interview on Arise TV, Freeman said Israel is aware of Iranian-backed Islamic groups operating in Nigeria, specifically citing the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as the Shi’ite movement. According to the ambassador, the group receives backing from Tehran and forms part of Iran’s broader strategy to expand its ideological and geopolitical influence beyond the Middle East.

“We know there are certain movements, for example, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, that are sponsored and backed by the Iranian regime,” Freeman said during the interview. “We’ve seen Iran spreading terror. We’ve seen them developing a ballistic missile programme and a nuclear programme. Nigeria has also been on the receiving end of terrorism from Iran.”

Freeman’s comments followed a wave of protests staged earlier in the week by members of the IMN across several Nigerian states. Demonstrations were reported in Lagos, Kano, Niger State, Sokoto, Gombe and Kaduna after reports that Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, was killed during recent U.S.–Israeli strikes targeting Tehran.

Protesters carried Iranian flags, displayed portraits of Khamenei and waved placards condemning both the United States and Israel while expressing solidarity with Iran. Similar demonstrations were also reported in Bauchi and Yobe states, with participants denouncing the military actions and calling for international condemnation of the strikes.

The protests occurred amid a rapidly escalating regional crisis in the Middle East. Reports indicate that Iran has launched missile and drone strikes against U.S. military installations in several Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.

Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador to Nigeria, Mahdavi Raja, defended Tehran’s retaliatory military actions. Speaking on Thursday, Raja said Iran’s attacks on U.S. military bases in neighbouring Gulf states were justified responses to what he described as aggression by the United States and Israel.

According to him, the strikes were carried out within Iran’s rights to defend itself, even if they occurred in countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Tehran.

Freeman, however, argued that Israel’s actions against Iran were necessary, particularly in light of Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and repeated threats against Israel.

“When a country says it wants to destroy you and is actively trying to build a nuclear weapon, it is absolutely justified,” Freeman said. “Not only is it justified, it becomes a moral obligation for a country to take the necessary action to stop that threat.”

The Israeli envoy also accused Iran of supporting militant groups across multiple regions, including organisations such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. He said Tehran’s activities have been linked to attacks and terror plots in countries ranging from Argentina and Bulgaria to the United Kingdom, Australia and Nigeria.

“This is a country that sponsors terror. Its Revolutionary Guard has been designated a terrorist organisation across parts of Europe and in many other countries,” Freeman said. “It is quite clear that Iran is an international sponsor of terrorism. Any claim to the contrary is simply absurd.”

Despite the rising tensions, Freeman said Israel remains open to working with Nigeria to address potential security threats linked to extremist networks.

Quoting Benjamin Netanyahu, Freeman said Israel is prepared to support Nigeria in combating instability and strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation.

“As Prime Minister 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 the country,” he said.