Iran slams bomb attack on Shia ceremony in Nigeria

Iran has roundly condemned a terrorist bomb attack that killed more than 30 Shia Muslim worshippers and injured many others in northeastern Nigeria.

On Wednesday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Marzieh Afkham, denounced the inhumane act and called on the Nigerian government to provide security for religious ceremonies in the country.


She also urged Abuja to identify the perpetrators of the deadly assault and bringing them to justice.

On November 3, at least 32 people were killed and over 100 others wounded when a large explosion ripped through a procession of Shia worshippers mourning the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH) in the Potiskum area in Nigeria’s northeastern state of Yobe.

Afkham further emphasized the need for countering extremism and terrorism across the world, saying Muslim states should remain vigilant and maintain their unity in the face of such threats.

Yobe, along with some other regions in Nigeria, has been the scene of numerous terrorist attacks by Takfiri militants, including Boko Haram, in the past months. The attacks have left many people dead.

Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is forbidden,” says its goal is to overthrow the Nigerian government.

Since beginning its operations in 2009, the militant group has claimed responsibility for numerous deadly gun and bomb attacks in various parts of Nigeria which have left more than 10,000 people dead so far.

Human Rights Watch has estimated that over 500 young women and girls have also been abducted by Boko Haram militants over the past five years.