Shi’ite Group Holds Fresh Protest in Yobe Over Death of Iranian Leader, Slams US and Israel

 

Shi’ite Group Holds Fresh Protest in Yobe Over Death of Iranian Leader, Slams US and Israel

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), commonly referred to as Shi’ites, have continued street protests in parts of Yobe State following the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The latest demonstrations took place on Tuesday in Potiskum and Nguru Local Government Areas, where protesters marched peacefully through major roads while displaying Iranian flags and large portraits of the late leader. Participants described Khamenei as a major spiritual figure and a global symbol of resistance within the Islamic world.

The protesters also used the rally to condemn what they described as aggressive foreign intervention, blaming a joint military operation allegedly carried out by the United States and Israel for the events that led to Khamenei’s death.

Chants in solidarity with Iran echoed across the towns as demonstrators accused foreign powers of destabilising the Middle East and violating international norms.

Speaking to journalists in Potiskum, Abdullahi Hassan, identified as a leader within the Shi’ite community, said the protest was organised to express outrage over the circumstances surrounding the Iranian leader’s death.

“We are protesting the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This is not just an attack on Iran, but an affront to Muslims across the world. No reasonable person should accept such an act,” Hassan said.

He added that the movement would continue to mobilise and speak out against actions it believes threaten the sovereignty of nations and undermine peace in the Islamic world.

In Nguru, demonstrators expressed similar sentiments, calling on the international community to openly condemn the killing. One of the organisers described the incident as a violation of global standards and human rights principles.

“We mourn our leader and urge peace-loving nations around the world to condemn this act,” the organiser said during the rally.

The protests in Yobe come amid heightened regional tensions after Iranian state media confirmed that Khamenei died during a large-scale military offensive targeting strategic locations in Iran. The operation, which reportedly began in late February 2026, has since escalated into sustained military exchanges involving missile and drone attacks.

The conflict has resulted in casualties and increased instability across several parts of the Middle East, raising concerns among international observers about the possibility of a wider regional crisis.

Following Khamenei’s death, Iranian authorities declared a 40-day period of national mourning in his honour. Khamenei had ruled Iran for nearly four decades and held ultimate authority over the country’s political, military, and religious institutions.

Despite the emotional atmosphere, Tuesday’s demonstrations in Yobe State were reported to be peaceful, with no incidents of violence, arrests, or clashes with security agencies as of the time of reporting.