A protest erupted on Monday in Lagos as members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) demonstrated against the reported killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by joint United States and Israel airstrikes in Iran. The rallies at the Maryland axis saw protesters converge in the early hours, denouncing what they described as foreign aggression and urging global condemnation of the strikes that also sparked demonstrations across parts of Nigeria.
Participants in the Lagos protest, predominantly Shiite Muslims aligned with IMN, marched through key points chanting anti-intervention slogans and calling on the international community to challenge perceived violations of sovereignty. Witnesses said the group carried placards condemning the United States and Israel, and demanded an end to external military actions in sovereign nations, linking their grievances to broader geopolitical developments in the Middle East.
The demonstration reflects a wider pattern of pro-Iranian protests across Nigeria following Khamenei’s reported death, with similar rallies held in cities such as Kano and parts of Niger State, where thousands of IMN supporters marched carrying Iranian flags and images of the late leader.
South West IMN coordinator Muftau Zakariya told local media that the protest was intended to express deep concern about what he described as sustained foreign invasions, likening recent US actions in Venezuela and other nations to ongoing global patterns of intervention. He argued that such interventions prioritize economic interests over respect for sovereign rights, heightening tensions worldwide.
The development has prompted security worries in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, where authorities have been monitoring demonstrations to prevent spill-over into violence. In response to rising unrest linked to the Middle East conflict, the Nigeria Police Force has increased patrols around worship centres and public spaces, warning that foreign disputes should not be imported into Nigerian streets.
The protests come amid broader international reactions to the escalating crisis following the reported death of Khamenei. Global responses have ranged from calls for de-escalation by national governments to further pro-Iranian demonstrations in other regions, underscoring the potential for continued tensions both at home and abroad.
