Israel, Iran trade blame over terrorism in Nigeria

The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, has accused the Iranian regime of sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria, placing the country in the middle of a widening global conflict between Tehran and Jerusalem.

Speaking in a wide-ranging interview on Arise TV, Freeman pointed to the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) as a proxy for Iran, describing the group as part of Tehran’s strategy to export extremism and destabilize sovereign nations. “It is well-documented that Iran supports terrorist organizations across the globe, from Hamas and Hezbollah to the Houthis,” he said. “Their influence is now being felt in Nigeria.”

The ambassador framed Israel’s recent strikes on Iran as a defensive measure. The operation, which claimed the life of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was described as a “moral obligation” to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear arsenal capable of destroying Israel.

Freeman said Iran’s reach goes beyond the Middle East. “We have seen Iranian-backed terror attacks in Argentina, Bulgaria, and Europe. Now, Nigeria is part of that network,” he said. He accused the Iranian regime of using the IMN to create instability within the country.

Responding to the allegations, Iran’s envoy to Nigeria, Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja, dismissed the claims as “entirely unfounded” and a product of Israeli propaganda. Raja said Israel was seeking to deflect attention from its own record of targeted killings abroad.

Freeman, however, maintained that the evidence of Iranian involvement in terrorism is clear. He noted Iran’s ballistic missile program, its underground nuclear developments, and its repeated attacks on civilian populations in the Middle East. “The Iranian regime is not acting in isolation. Its proxies operate internationally, and their actions in Nigeria are part of a broader strategy to destabilize nations aligned with Western interests,” he said.

On the issue of civilian casualties, Freeman argued that Israeli strikes are precise and aimed at minimizing harm, in contrast to Iranian attacks that deliberately target civilian areas. He cited rocket attacks on Tel Aviv and Beit Shemesh that killed children and the elderly.

Concerning Nigeria’s role, Freeman said Israel is ready to collaborate with the Nigerian government to counter Iranian-backed terrorism. “Nigeria and Israel share common security interests. We are ready to provide support according to Nigeria’s priorities,” he said.