Abuja has become a focal point in the growing global tension between Israel and Iran, with allegations that Tehran is sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria and beyond. In an interview with Arise TV, Israel’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, accused the Iranian government of backing violent groups, including the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), as part of its wider campaign to export revolutionary extremism.
Ambassador Freeman emphasized that Iran’s support extends to terrorist organizations operating in Europe and West Africa, claiming that Tehran’s “entire apparatus” is dedicated to spreading terror and destabilizing nations. He cited Iran’s backing of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other groups, as well as attacks on civilians in Argentina, Bulgaria, and Nigeria.
According to Freeman, Israel’s recent military actions against Iran, including the killing of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, were morally justified to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran from threatening Israel’s existence. He described Iran’s long-standing “Death to Israel, Death to America” stance and its ongoing ballistic missile and nuclear program as direct threats that cannot be ignored.
In response, Iran’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja, dismissed the allegations as propaganda aimed at deflecting attention from Israel’s own history of targeted killings and violations of international law. He criticized Israel for presenting itself as a victim while ignoring its own military operations abroad.
Ambassador Freeman defended Israel’s stance, highlighting Iran’s history of sponsoring terrorist attacks and massacres, including the October 7 Hamas attack and the repression of domestic protests that resulted in tens of thousands of Iranian deaths. He argued that Israel’s efforts are intended to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and to weaken a regime that has destabilized the region.
Addressing concerns over civilian casualties and humanitarian impact, Freeman stated that Israel conducts precision strikes to minimize harm, contrasting this with Iran’s targeting of civilians in Israel and its involvement in terrorism worldwide.
Regarding Iran’s influence in Nigeria, Freeman reiterated that the Islamic Movement of Nigeria receives support from Tehran. He also emphasized the desire for Nigeria-Israel cooperation to address regional instability in ways that align with Nigeria’s security priorities.
The debate underscores the broader geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and their ripple effects in countries like Nigeria, where proxy conflicts and ideological influence are increasingly visible.
