From Lagos To Yobe: Outrage Erupts In Nigeria After Ayatollah Khamenei’s Death
Outrage Over Iran Leader’s Killing
DEMONSTRATIONS swept through major Nigerian cities on Monday as members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) protested the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei was killed during a large-scale military offensive by the United States and Israel, triggering retaliatory missile strikes from Tehran and escalating tensions across the Middle East. US President Donald Trump confirmed the operation, framing it as part of broader security objectives.
In response, IMN members organised coordinated demonstrations across Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Katsina, Yobe, Taraba and other states.
Marches in Northern States
In Yobe State, demonstrations were held in Gashua, Nguru and Potiskum, where protesters waved Iranian flags and displayed placards denouncing the United States and Israel. Malam Abdullahi Bin Sa’id, a local IMN leader in Gashua, described the killing as a violation of Iran’s sovereignty and international law.
Similar scenes played out in Kano, where IMN members marched from Fagge Juma’at Mosque to the residence of their late state leader, Malam Mahmud Turi, at Kofar Waika. Participants dressed in black carried posters mourning Khamenei and condemning Israel.
In Bauchi, hundreds of demonstrators moved through major roads, including routes from the Fudiyya Shiites Islamic School to the Emir’s Palace, calling the assassination an attack on the global Islamic community. The protest remained peaceful.
Katsina and Gombe states also witnessed processions, with IMN leader in Gombe, Muhammad Abbari, alleging that the conflict was driven more by geopolitical and economic interests than nuclear concerns. He traced tensions back to Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution and accused the United States of sustained hostility through sanctions.
Taraba State saw large crowds, including women and children, marching through Jalingo and other towns, demanding international condemnation of the attack.
Police Heighten Vigilance
In anticipation of possible unrest, acting Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu ordered heightened security nationwide. According to police authorities, the move is part of proactive efforts to maintain public order amid rising global tensions.
The IMN has a history of solidarity protests linked to Iran and has previously experienced confrontations with security agencies.
Zakzaky’s Emotional Tribute
IMN leader Ibraheem Zakzaky described Khamenei’s death as a collective loss to Muslims worldwide. He praised the Iranian leader’s decades-long stewardship following the Islamic Revolution and highlighted his efforts to foster unity among Islamic schools of thought.
Zakzaky condemned the attack as unlawful and warned that its consequences would extend beyond Iran.
Religious Observances and Wider Concerns
Beyond the IMN, followers of the Qadiriyya Sufi order in Kano observed Salatul Ghaib for Khamenei at the Darul Qadiriyya, praying for his soul and expressing solidarity with Iran.
Former Ambassador Suleiman Dahiru said the protests illustrate how international crises resonate locally. He warned that the Middle East conflict could drive up global oil prices, disrupt air travel, and strain economies worldwide, including Nigeria’s.
Dahiru argued that the demonstrations transcend sectarian lines, framing them as humanitarian reactions to global instability. He criticised the weakening of diplomatic institutions and cautioned that prolonged conflict would deepen economic and political uncertainty.
As Nigeria monitors developments abroad, the unfolding Middle East crisis continues to stir political, religious and economic concerns at home.
