Iran summons Nigerian diplomat over attacks

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December 15, 2015 2:33 PM

This was disclosed by state-owned network, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Tuesday, December 15, 2015.

Iran has summoned Nigeria’s charge d’affaires over the recent battle between the country’s army and Shiite Muslims in Zaria, Kaduna State.

This was disclosed by state-owned network, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Tuesday, December 15, 2015.

The country also said that it “demands the Nigerian government immediately shed light on the incidents, treat the injured, and compensate for damages,” according to IRNA.

Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif further called for “immediate and serious action to prevent violence” against Shiites in a telephone call to his Nigerian counterpart, Geoffrey Onyeama.

Iran had earlier warned Nigeria to tread with caution in its actions against the Shiites.

The warning was given by a spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Hossein Jaber-Ansari on Sunday, December 13, 2015.

“Nigeria… is now dealing with problems arising from extremism and Takfiri terrorism and we hope that in these conditions preservation of calm and national unity in battling terrorism is prioritized while rash and unconstructive measures are avoided,” IRNA quoted Jaber-Ansari as saying.

The conflict between the Shiites and the army escalated after soldiers surrounded the home of leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzakyon Saturday.

The resulting gunfight is said to have of Zakzaky’s wife and son and also the group’s Second-in-Command, Sheik Muhammad Turi.

Zakzaky himself has reportedly been arrested by the army while the group claims that 500 of its members were killed during the attacks.

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