Iran Backing El‑Zakzaky’s Shi’ites, Spreading Terror in Nigeria – Israeli Envoy
Several foreign policy concerns have been raised after the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, accused Iran of supporting Shi’ite groups in Nigeria and contributing to activities that, in his view, fuel instability and terror, particularly through the movement led by Sheikh Ibrahim El‑Zakzaky.
Freeman made the allegation while speaking with journalists, asserting that Tehran’s influence is not limited to the Middle East but extends to parts of West Africa, including Nigeria. He maintained that Iran’s backing of religious and militant networks abroad forms part of broader efforts to advance its geopolitical agenda — a claim that touches on decades‑old ties between the Islamic Republic and Shi’ite communities inspired by Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The ambassador suggested that such influence could manifest in political unrest and extremist activity, pointing to the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) — a Shi’ite group founded by El‑Zakzaky — as an example of Tehran‑linked networks within the country. Freeman’s statement highlights concerns that external support for religious movements may have unintended security implications.
El‑Zakzaky’s IMN traces its ideological roots to the Iranian Revolution and has long drawn inspiration from Shi’ite political thought. The group has been involved in protests and demonstrations, especially in recent months linked to international developments, such as the Middle East conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
However, authorities in Nigeria have underscored that the IMN is a banned organisation that historically used demonstrations to push political and religious aims, and not all its activities are linked to foreign state sponsorship.
The remarks from the Israeli envoy add another layer to ongoing geopolitical debates, with various nations wary of transnational influences that could intersect with local security dynamics.
Source: Daily Post and others.