By Adesakin Adefemi
A wave of protests swept across Nigeria on Monday, with members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) taking to the streets of Lagos and other cities to condemn the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a joint United States-Israel military strike on Iran.
The demonstrators, who gathered around the Maryland area in Lagos, chanted slogans condemning what they described as foreign intervention and the death of Khamenei, demanding global condemnation of the intervention in sovereign nations.
The protest heightened tensions in the area as many passersby avoided the vicinity, but despite the large turnout, there were no reports of violence, and the rally ended peacefully.
IMN’s South-West Coordinator, Muftau Zakariya, told reporters that the demonstration was organised to express concern over what he called sustained invasions of sovereign states by the United States. “We will not sit idly by while foreign powers continue to interfere in the affairs of other nations,” Zakariya said, citing other international incidents as part of his concerns.
The protest in Lagos follows similar demonstrations in other parts of Nigeria, including Kano and Niger States, where members of the Shi’a-aligned group also marched to denounce the U.S.-Israeli strikes and mourn Khamenei’s reported death. The IMN has called on the Nigerian government to condemn the alleged killing of Khamenei and to take a stronger stance against foreign interference in the country’s affairs.
National security agencies had deployed officers to key points across Lagos ahead of the rally to prevent any breakdown of law and order. “We are taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of citizens and property,” a security source said.
Observers say the protests in Nigeria are part of a broader wave of demonstrations by pro-Iranian and Shiite groups following the reported killing of Khamenei in the ongoing Middle East conflict. The group’s protest is the latest in a series of demonstrations across the country, highlighting the growing concerns about foreign intervention and the impact on global peace and security.
The IMN’s protest comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with Iran vowing to retaliate against any attack on its soil. The reported killing of Khamenei has sparked fears of a wider conflict in the region, and the international community is on high alert.
The Nigerian government has yet to issue an official statement on the reported killing of Khamenei, but the IMN’s protest is likely to put pressure on the authorities to take a stance on the issue. The group’s demands for condemnation of the U.S.-Israeli strikes and an end to foreign interference in sovereign nations are likely to resonate with many Nigerians.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the reported killing of Khamenei has sparked a wave of protests and outrage across Nigeria, and the government will need to tread carefully to manage the situation.
