Iran says it is using all diplomatic channels to pursue the release of a prominent Shia Muslim cleric Sheikh Ibrahim al-Zakzaky who was arrested by the Nigerian army last month.
"We have used all those channels to warn them [Nigeria] regarding this issue. So hopefully the government... would adopt wise action given the sensitive situation," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hoseyn Jaberi-Ansari told reporters in the capital, Tehran.
Campaign group Human Rights Watch said at least 300 IMN members were killed and quickly buried in a mass grave during the incident. The Nigerian military denied the claim.
Iran is currently embroiled in a diplomatic row with Saudi Arabia over the execution of a prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. Sheikh Zakzaky, leader of the IMN, is inspired by Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini.
Facts about Shia in Nigeria
Shia are minority in Nigeria but their numbers are increasing The IMN, formed in the 1980s, is the main Shia group led by Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky They operate their own schools and hospitals in some northern states They have a history of clashes with the security forces The IMN is backed by Shia-dominated Iran and its members often go there to study
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Posted: at 4-01-2016 05:51 PM (8 years ago) | Addicted Hero
deboalabi262 at 4-01-2016 06:02 PM (8 years ago) (m)
Iran should stop these empty threats. Go and face Saudi Arabia or USA...... Naija no dey look face.
Who Jah Blessed, No Man Cursed......
Posted: at 4-01-2016 06:02 PM (8 years ago) | Hero
Them dey mad , na who dem won give warning.. and that stupid Campaign group Human Rights Watch.. why dem no tell SAUDI ARABIA not to beheaded 47 people last week
Posted: at 4-01-2016 06:14 PM (8 years ago) | Grande Master
Hahahahahahahahah..... Seriously buhari should release this man before this issue turn to something else. Iran treat might be real. Nigeria should just avoid iran becz we knw all knw them very well.
Posted: at 4-01-2016 09:46 PM (8 years ago) | Hero
Hahahahahahahahah..... Seriously buhari should release this man before this issue turn to something else. Iran treat might be real. Nigeria should just avoid iran becz we knw all knw them very well.
Posted: at 4-01-2016 09:47 PM (8 years ago) | Hero
Iran Iran Iran, how many time i call una, make una leave naija matter for naija, if una wan dey keep terrorist make una dey keep those wey dey una land and leave the once wey dey naija make our government handle them, I know Iran sponsors boko haram and soon Iran will turn to a battle feild. just soon
Posted: at 4-01-2016 11:17 PM (8 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Why can't these Shiite just move to Iran permanently since they claim they come from there or belong to them. How can another country be claiming a small part of another country? This is stupid! What can Iran even do to Nigeria by the way? make them go hug transformer jare
Posted: at 5-01-2016 01:22 AM (8 years ago) | Gistmaniac