‘We Stand With Iran’: Shi’ite Groups Protest in Lagos, Sokoto, Kaduna Over Killing of Khamenei.
Nigerians took to the streets in multiple states on Monday and Sunday to protest the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Iranian Supreme Leader was killed over the weekend during what has been described as a joint military operation by the United States and Israel . His death has sent shockwaves through the global Shia community, including members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites.
In Lagos, protesters gathered around the Maryland area on Monday morning. They carried Iranian flags and held up portraits of the late Ayatollah. Chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” rang out as the crowd marched, though witnesses said the atmosphere remained calm . Leaders of the South-West chapter of the IMN addressed the gathering, calling the airstrike an attack on sovereign nations. They urged the Nigerian government to speak out against what they see as foreign interference in other countries’ affairs.
Similar scenes played out in northern states where the movement has a strong presence. In Sokoto, protesters marched through the city center on Sunday, expressing their grief and anger. In Kaduna, while the protest itself drew a crowd, the state police command confirmed that security operatives were deployed to monitor the situation and keep the peace . Residents in parts of Kano, Gombe, Bauchi, and Yobe also reported seeing processions over the weekend.
In Gombe, a leader of the IMN, Muhammad Abbari, spoke to the press during the protest. He argued that the tensions between Washington and Tehran are not about weapons, but about resources and political control. He claimed the United States wants to install a government in Iran that will serve its interests.
The protests come at a sensitive time. The Nigeria Police Force, under the direction of the acting Inspector-General of Police, has placed all state Commissioners of Police on alert. Security has been tightened, especially in the North Central, North East, and North West zones, to ensure that the global tensions do not spark local unrest.
Despite the emotional nature of the demonstrations and the use of strong language by some protesters, there have been no reports of violence or major clashes with security forces. In Kano, police officials noted that they escorted the protesters to ensure the procession remained peaceful, especially as it took place during the evening when Muslims were breaking their fast.
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The IMN, which has been banned by the Nigerian government since 2019, continues to be an active group when it comes to international issues involving Iran. These protests show that the group retains the ability to mobilize its members in response to events happening far from Nigeria’s borders.
