Michael Freeman has accused Iran of supporting Islamic movements in Nigeria to expand what he described as a global network of terrorism, a claim that has drawn a response from Tehran’s envoy in Abuja.
Speaking during an interview , Freeman alleged that Iran provides backing to the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), a Shi’ite group active in several parts of the country.
According to him, the group is part of a broader effort by Tehran to project influence and destabilise regions beyond the Middle East.
“Iran is backing Islamic movements in Nigeria as part of its broader strategy to spread terror and instability across different regions,” Freeman said.
The Israeli envoy warned that Iran’s activities in Nigeria and across West Africa should be taken seriously, citing the country’s longstanding hostility toward Israel and Western nations. He also accused Tehran of sponsoring militant organisations such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthi movement.
“Iran has a long record of sponsoring groups like Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, and these organisations have carried out attacks in different parts of the world,” he said.
Freeman further pointed to Iran’s ballistic missile programme and its nuclear ambitions as signs of what he called a growing security threat, arguing that international action against Tehran is justified.
“The development of ballistic missiles and nuclear capabilities by Iran poses a serious threat not just to Israel but to global security,” he added.
The comments came amid demonstrations organised by IMN members in several Nigerian states including Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Niger, Gombe, Bauchi and Yobe where protesters expressed solidarity with Iran following recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Tehran. Demonstrators were seen carrying Iranian flags and portraits of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
However, Iran’s ambassador to Nigeria, Mahdavi Raja, rejected the allegations and defended Tehran’s recent military actions in Gulf countries, describing them as retaliatory measures against operations by the United States and Israel.
“Our actions were retaliatory in nature and came in response to military operations carried out by the United States and Israel,” Raja said.
Freeman also said Israel is prepared to cooperate with Nigeria to address any potential security fallout, quoting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as saying Israel is willing to partner with Nigeria to tackle instability and terrorism.
“As Prime Minister Netanyahu said, we are willing and eager to partner with Nigeria according to its needs to help tackle instability and terrorism,” Freeman stated.