US ALERTS CITIZENS IN NIGERIA AS SHI’ITE PROTEST ROCKS LAGOS OVER KILLING OF IRAN’S SUPREME LEADER

By: Sefiu Ajape

Members of the South-West leadership of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria staged a peaceful protest in Lagos State, condemning the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in strikes allegedly carried out by the United States and Israel.

The development followed reports that Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, wife of Iran’s Supreme Leader, died from injuries sustained during recent United States and Israeli strikes at her residence in Tehran.

According to the Jamaran News Agency on Monday, Bagherzadeh had fallen into a coma after being injured in the attacks but died on March 2.

Her death came amid reports that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the early hours of Saturday, February 28, during coordinated US and Israeli strikes.

Several other senior Iranian officials were also reportedly killed in the attack.

The protest in Lagos on Monday followed similar demonstrations by Shi’ites in Kano, Yobe, Gombe, and Bauchi states on Sunday.

In Lagos, demonstrators marched through parts of the Maryland axis, carrying placards and banners denouncing what they described as an “invasion” of Iran and the targeted assassination of the long-serving Iranian leader.

The Southwest coordinator of the IMN, Muftau Zakariya, said the protest would remain peaceful and continue across the South-West geopolitical zone.

Protesters chanted in solidarity with Iran and voiced strong opposition to the actions of the United States and Israel.

Zakariya said the protest was organized to express concerns over what he described as sustained invasions of sovereign nations by the United States administration, citing Venezuela as a recent example of foreign interference.

He also urged the federal government to reject the presence of US troops in Nigeria.

Zakariya claimed terrorism in Nigeria had increased since the involvement of the US government, adding that heightened attacks in Kwara State followed what he termed US interference in the country’s affairs.

Another leader of the movement, Muhammadu Bashir, said the protest was organised to register their concerns over the killing of Iranian leaders.

During a protest in Gombe, an IMN leader, Muhammad Abbari, described the attack on Khamenei as “unfortunate and unacceptable.”

Abbari said, “We strongly condemn any attack on a religious and political leader of such standing.

“However, we urge our followers to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding in the expression of their concerns.”

He emphasized that the protest was intended to show solidarity and not to incite violence.

“Our action today is purely peaceful. We are here to register our grievances and show solidarity, nothing more,” Abbari added.

Security personnel were observed monitoring parts of the metropolis during the procession, but no breach of peace was recorded as the protest ended without incident.

Meanwhile, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, heightened security measures across the state following protests by IMN members.

The CP told our correspondent that the Shi’ite group did not notify the police about their planned demonstration, but the command received intelligence and deployed personnel to the scenes.

He added, “Our men escorted them to ensure the peaceful takeoff of the protests and to avoid any unrest. You know it was evening; people are fasting.”

He further disclosed that officers had been deployed across the state and were monitoring developments.

IMN members also staged a procession on Sunday at the Fegge Central Mosque in Kofar Waika around 2.30 pm to mourn the reported killing of Khamenei.

The demonstration, which began peacefully, saw participants kneeling on roads, halting traffic, carrying white shrouds, lighting candles, and distributing water and dates to bystanders.

Although the protest ended peacefully around 4.00 pm, security agencies remained on standby for possible follow-up demonstrations.

The Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Kiyawa, said the command was monitoring the situation and liaising with community leaders to prevent escalation.

In Bauchi, the PPRO, Nafiu Habib, told newsmen that Sunday’s demonstration in the state was conducted without incident.

“Like every Nigerian individual or group, the Shi’ites have the right to peaceful demonstration. We are aware that yesterday they conducted the same in Bauchi,” Habib said.

“What we witnessed was peaceful, and up till now, we have not recorded any breakdown of law and order,” he added.

Speaking on behalf of IMN members in Bauchi, Ahmad Yashi said the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader would not bring peace but would instead worsen the situation.

“We are with Iran in heart and soul. They are targeting the Iranian Supreme Leader to make the country surrender, but they are mistaken. The Supreme Leader, as a religious authority, is among those dousing tensions,” he said.

Yashi described Islam as a religion of peace but blamed Western powers for what he termed persistent global unrest.

“Islam is a peaceful religion, but the West is the problem. They are selfish and want everyone to bow to them. This will not happen; those days are gone,” he added.

He further disclosed that IMN members in Bauchi staged the peaceful demonstration in solidarity with Iran.

“Yesterday, we conducted a peaceful demonstration in support of Iran, and every Muslim must take a side in this war. You are either with the righteous or with the oppressors,” Yashi stated.

In Yobe, hundreds of Shi’ite Muslims marched through the streets of Potiskum, Bade, and Nguru local government areas on Sunday to mourn the death of their spiritual leader in Iran.

Demonstrators carried portraits of Khamenei, waved Iranian flags, and burnt the flags of the United States and Israel in a display of grief and defiance.

One of the protest leaders, Abdullahi Hassan, told the crowd, “We are shocked and devastated over the killing of our leader. This is a painful moment not only for us in Yobe but for Shiites across the world. Yet we will not be broken. We will continue to stand firm, and our voices will not be silenced. This is the beginning of our victory, and we will honour the legacy of our leader in every action we take.”

He added, “We burn the flags of the United States and Israel not out of hatred but to show that we will never bow to oppression. The sons and daughters of Khamenei remain strong, committed, and united. Our faith is our strength, and our resolve is unshakable.”

The protests lasted several hours across the three local government areas, with demonstrators chanting slogans, holding placards, and waving images of Khamenei.

US issues alert

Meanwhile, the United States Government issued a security alert to its citizens in Nigeria following escalating hostilities between the US and Iran.

In a statement on Monday, US authorities advised Americans abroad to remain vigilant amid ongoing military operations involving Iran.

“Following the launch of U.S. combat operations in Iran, Americans worldwide and especially in the Middle East should follow the guidance in the latest security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate,” the advisory stated.

The alert noted that Americans could face travel disruptions due to periodic airspace closures linked to the crisis.

The US Department of State advised citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution.

It also urged them to enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive timely updates and to follow the ‘US Department of State Security Updates for U.S. Citizens’ WhatsApp channel for further information.

The advisory followed reports by Iranian state and local media confirming the death of Ali Khamenei after airstrikes allegedly carried out by the United States and Israel.

Several other high-ranking Iranian officials were also reported killed in the strikes.

In retaliation, Iran reportedly launched multiple missiles targeting US bases in Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, vowing to avenge the death of its Supreme Leader and other officials.

US President Donald Trump, speaking during a live broadcast while the attacks were ongoing on Saturday, said he was determined to eliminate members of the Iranian regime.

He also called on Iranian citizens to take control of their government after military operations were concluded.