Mahdavi Raja, Iran’s ambassador to Nigeria, has expressed Tehran’s willingness to support Nigeria in tackling terrorism, stating that the country is prepared to share its experience in counterterrorism efforts.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News, Raja said Iran is open to assisting Nigeria as it continues to confront security threats posed by extremist groups.
The ambassador clarified that Islamic groups in Nigeria maintain only spiritual and cultural ties with Iran, insisting that there is no political relationship between them.
His comments followed allegations by Michael Freeman, who accused the Iranian government of backing Islamic movements in Nigeria and across West Africa as part of a broader effort to spread terrorism globally.
Freeman made the claim while reacting to protests staged by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, in several Nigerian states. The demonstrations were held following the reported killing of Ali Khamenei during recent United States–Israeli strikes on Tehran.
“We’ve seen Iran spreading terror. We’ve seen them developing a ballistic missile programme and a nuclear programme. Nigeria has been on the receiving end of terrorism from Iran,” Freeman said.
Hours after the allegation, the IMN’s media forum dismissed the claims, describing them as unfounded and suggesting they could be linked to what it termed “possible false-flag terrorism by the Israelis.”
In a statement on Saturday, Ammar Rajab, chairman of the forum, criticised the Israeli envoy’s remarks.
“It is both inappropriate and unacceptable for the representative of a state widely found guilty of committing genocide and grave violations of international laws to lecture others about terrorism or security,” Rajab said.
Responding to the controversy during the interview, Raja said the rallies and mourning gatherings organised by Shi’ite groups in Nigeria were purely expressions of religious solidarity.
“After the assassination of our supreme leader, there have been peaceful rallies, funerals, and mourning occasions,” Raja said.
“This does not mean that Iran is defending those groups. It is a moral and spiritual connection because they are Muslims, and we are Muslims.”
The ambassador stressed that Iran has consistently condemned acts of terrorism and is ready to work with countries facing security challenges, including Nigeria.
“We are ready to lend a helping hand. As an ambassador here, I tell Nigerian officials that we are ready to assist in combating terrorism,” he said.
Raja noted that Nigeria continues to face threats from extremist groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), adding that Iran has gained significant experience dealing with terrorism in its own region.
“We know that Nigeria faces threats from Boko Haram, ISWAP, and others. We are ready to share our experience in counterterrorism, as we have extensive experience in the region,” he said.
He further emphasised that Iran itself has been a victim of terrorism and has repeatedly condemned attacks in Nigeria and across Africa.
“We are victims, and we are ready to cooperate with African countries to combat terrorism, drawing from our experience,” Raja added.
“We condemn terrorist attacks and the crimes they have committed in Nigeria and across Africa multiple times.”
