Israel’s ambassador to Nigeria has claimed that Iran is supporting a local Shiite group to sow discord in the West African nation as part of Tehran’s broader campaign against Jerusalem.
Michael Freeman, in an interview broadcast on Arise News on Friday, alleged that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, led by Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, receives direct backing from Iranian authorities.
He pointed to social media posts by Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as evidence of this support, stating: “The Islamic movement of Nigeria is sponsored and is backed by the Iranian regime. This is not me saying this, we’ve seen that documented by the Iranian regime. The Supreme Leader posted on X his support and his backing there.”
Freeman described Iran as the sole UN member state openly seeking to annihilate another country, adding: “Iran is the only country in the world, in the United Nations, who expressly desires to wipe another country off the face of the earth. Iran has stated its very policy is to destroy Israel.”
He accused Tehran of funding global terrorism over the past 47 years, including sponsoring Hamas and Hezbollah, and orchestrating the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
The envoy warned that Iranian influence extends to Europe, Australia, and Africa, aiming to destabilise not only Nigeria but the entire West African region.
Freeman reiterated Israel’s stance against Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, given its threats: “Israel will not allow another country to have nuclear weapons when they’ve expressly stated they want those weapons to destroy Israel.”
The allegations come amid heightened tensions following US-Israeli airstrikes that killed Khamenei and other Iranian leaders last week, prompting retaliatory actions across the Middle East.
