By Hamza Ibrahim\Semafor\YouTube Screenshot
Nigeria’s main Shiite Muslim sect criticized US involvement in strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and Israel’s continued attacks on targets in the country.
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) staged a protest march on Friday in Kano, the commercial hub of northern Nigeria, in support of Iran. Hundreds of protesters attended the event chanting slogans and songs in English and the Hausa language spoken widely in northern Nigeria.
Prominent members of the group, speaking to Semafor on Sunday, were critical of Washington’s strikes. “The US made a mistake by attacking somebody who can retaliate,” said Saminu Muhammad, a leading figure within IMN. The group remains a minority in Nigeria, where the majority of the Muslim population is Sunni.
Support for Iran is limited across the continent. South Africa, which has frequently criticized Israel’s military operations in Gaza, called for dialogue to end the strikes. The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran has pushed up oil prices, prompting fears that the impact will be felt by economies across Africa.
