Iran behind plots to destabilise Nigeria, says Israel

Iran behind plots to destabilise Nigeria, says Israel

The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, said on Tuesday that Iran’s “nefarious activities” have spread from the Middle East to Africa and particularly, Nigeria.

The Israeli envoy made the statement in Abuja on Tuesday at the screening of the documentary titled ‘We Will Dance Again: Surviving October 7th’ by Yariv Mozer organised to commemorate first anniversary since Hamas invaded Israel and abducted its citizens.

The militant group abducted 396 partygoers in Israel and released some of them following the intervention of the U.S. and UN. But 101 people are still being held hostage and used to negotiate with Israel.

Mr Freeman described Iranians as “tyrants” whose proxies from Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon wreaked devastation on different countries and threw millions into misery, noting that Nigeria was among the nation’s victims.

“The tyrants in Tehran are responsible for the destabilisation of countries and the misery of millions,” the Israeli envoy claimed on Wednesday.

“Yet, Iran’s nefarious activities are not limited to the Middle East. Let me be clear, Iran’s leaders are also working to destabilise Western Africa, including here in Nigeria,” he alleged.

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Israel had extended the war on Gaza to Lebanon —one of Hamas’s strongest allies—launching missiles that have killed hundreds and destroyed critical infrastructure.

Mr Freeman stated that Israel would halt its incursion on Lebanon on one condition, —”the full implementation of UN resolution 1701” stipulating demilitarisation and disarmament of Hezbollah forces.

“The war in Lebanon will only end with the full implementation of UN resolution 1701 – with Hezbollah unable to rearm, and pushed back beyond the Litani River and the Lebanese army in control of the South of Lebanon,” Mr Freeman insisted.

The envoy thanked the Nigerian government and the U.S. for standing by Israel during its war against multiple nations.

“Over the past year, the support shown by President Biden, as well as by Republicans and Democrats alike has been overwhelming and I am confident that whoever wins today’s (Tuesday) presidential election, will continue that steadfast support. But it hasn’t just been the U.S., and I want to thank all of those countries that have stood by us, publicly and behind the scenes,” said Mr Freeman

“I also want to thank all of our friends in Nigeria who have stood with us.”

The Iranian authorities did not immediately return comments to claims of plotting to destabilise Nigeria.

Mr Freeman stated, “This is not a war we wanted. This is not a war we started. Hamas and Hezbollah attacked Israel. And today we face a war on seven fronts – all of it sponsored by Iran.”

Iran behind plots to destabilise Nigeria, says Israel