Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, has warned that Iran is actively spreading terrorism in Nigeria and backing extremist groups, linking Tehran’s influence to the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and wider destabilisation across West Africa.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, Freeman said Iran’s global agenda of terror has long been documented, and its operations now extend into African countries, including Nigeria.
“We know that there are certain movements, for example, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, which is sponsored and backed by the Iranian regime, And this is not me saying this we’ve seen that documented by the Iranian regime itself. Ayatollah Khomeini, the Supreme Leader, posted on X, his support and his backing. So that’s very open. There are other areas as well that Iran is working to destabilise, not only Nigeria, but all of West Africa.”
Freeman, who addressed wider concerns about Iran’s military ambitions, framed the current conflict in the Middle East as a necessary defence against Tehran’s threat to Israel. He said Iran’s nuclear programme, ballistic missile development, and long-standing policy of hostility made Israel’s actions justified.
“For 47 years, Iran has had a policy of ‘death to Israel, death to America,’” he said. “Its entire state structure has been sponsoring terrorism, sponsoring organisations around the world to kill Israelis, to kill Jews, to spread terror.
“We’ve seen Iran spreading terror, developing a ballistic missile programme and a nuclear programme. When a country says it wants to destroy you and they are trying to build a nuclear weapon, it’s absolutely justified indeed, it is a moral obligation to take the action needed to stop a country, in this case Iran, who wants to destroy Israel.”
Addressing criticisms over Israel’s own nuclear capabilities, Freeman clarified the nation’s position: “Israel has never said that we have nuclear weapons. That’s your statement. Israel’s policy has always been that we won’t be the first country to introduce nuclear weapons into the region. But the issue here is not about Israel.
“The issue here is Iran. Iran is the only country in the world, in the United Nations, which expressly desires to wipe another country off the face of the earth. Iran has stated its policy is to destroy Israel, to wipe Israel off the map, and to kill every single person.”
Freeman detailed Iran’s history of terrorism across the globe, citing attacks in Europe, Argentina, Bulgaria, Australia, and within Africa. “We’ve seen them acting in Nigeria. We’ve seen these people acting all across the world in order to spread disturbance and carry out their aim of destroying Israel,” he said.
He further condemned Iran’s repression of its own citizens. “Less than two months ago, there were millions of people protesting against the Iranian regime. The regime’s response was to gun them down and massacre them. Anywhere between 30,000 and 70,000 Iranians were shot dead for purely saying they weren’t happy with their government. This is an illegitimate government.”
On Israel’s military response, Freeman said the strikes were precise and intended to minimise civilian casualties. “Israel does everything we can to limit innocent civilian casualties. We carry out pinpoint, incredibly accurate strikes to target Iran’s ballistic missile programme, nuclear programme, and regime structures. Iran, on the other hand, is attacking civilians. Their missiles have killed children, the elderly, carers, and people from all over. They are carrying out war crimes to maximise civilian casualties.”
Freeman emphasised Israel’s readiness to support Nigeria in tackling terrorism. “Nigeria and Israel are strong allies and strong friends. We work together on many areas. As Prime Minister Netanyahu said, we are willing and eager to partner with Nigeria according to Nigeria’s needs and desires in order to help tackle instability,” he said.
Erizia Rubyjeana
Follow us on:
