Iran Ready to Help Nigeria Combat Boko Haram, ISWAP — Envoy

Iran Ready to Help Nigeria Combat Boko Haram, ISWAP — Envoy

Iran has expressed its readiness to support Nigeria in the fight against terrorism, rejecting recent allegations that Tehran sponsors extremist movements in West Africa. The offer was made by Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja, Iran’s ambassador to Nigeria, during an interview on Arise Television in Abuja.

Raja emphasised that Islamic groups in Nigeria maintain only spiritual and cultural links with Iran and do not have political or operational ties. He highlighted that recent rallies and mourning events organised by Shi’ite groups in Nigeria were expressions of grief following the death of Iran’s former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, and not evidence of Iranian sponsorship.

The ambassador’s remarks came after Israeli Ambassador Michael Freeman accused Iran of backing Islamic movements in Nigeria and across West Africa to spread terrorism globally. Freeman cited concerns over Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, claiming Nigeria has been affected by terrorism allegedly linked to Tehran.

READ ALSO:

• Abduction of Corps Member Sparks Calls to Suspend NYSC
• Police Arrest More Suspects Over Killing of Ajiran of Agungi’s Son in Lagos
• Iran Fires Missiles as Mojtaba Khamenei Succeeds Father as Supreme Leader

Responding to these claims, Raja called the accusations unfounded and politically motivated, stressing that Iran itself has been a victim of terrorism and has consistently condemned attacks worldwide. “We are ready to share our counterterrorism experience and assist countries like Nigeria that face extremist threats,” he said, noting Nigeria’s ongoing challenges with groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Raja also underscored the importance of multilateral cooperation in tackling terrorism, adding that Iran is willing to work with Nigerian authorities to enhance security measures, protect citizens, and strengthen responses to insurgent violence.

The Iranian envoy’s statement aligns with the position of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), which dismissed claims of Iranian backing as misleading and politically motivated. The controversy follows recent protests by IMN members across several Nigerian states in response to the strikes on Tehran carried out by the United States and Israel.

Iran’s offer of support comes at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with rising insecurity, including repeated attacks by insurgent groups that have displaced communities and posed significant challenges to national security. Raja stressed that sharing Iran’s experience could help Nigeria address terrorism more effectively while highlighting the importance of moral and spiritual solidarity among Muslim communities.

Iran Ready to Help Nigeria Combat Boko Haram, ISWAP — Envoy