Iran denounces terrorist attack on Shia Muslims in Nigeria

Iran has denounced a recent terrorist attack in Nigeria that targeted Shia Muslims during a religious ceremony in the northern state of Kano.

“Extremism and terrorism are international threats and it is necessary for all countries to cooperate to counter and eradicate these big, global scourges,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari said on Monday.

He also sympathized with the bereaved families of the victims as well as the Nigerian government and nation.

At least 21 people were killed on Friday when a bomber detonated his explosives among a crowd of Shia Muslims participating in a march organized by followers of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria in Dakasoye Village south of the city of Kano, the capital of the state with the same name.

The organizers of the procession said several people were also injured in the attack, which happened days before Shias in Nigeria are going to commemorate Arba’een, the 40th day since the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH) – the third Shia Imam – and his followers in the Battle of Karbala.

One of the organizers also said the assailant “was dressed in black, like everyone else. His accomplice was initially arrested and confessed they were sent by Boko Haram.”

On Saturday, Boko Karam released a photo of the bomber and claimed responsibility for the attack.

At least 20,000 people have been killed and more than 2.5 million made homeless since the beginning of Boko Haram militancy in Nigeria in 2009. The terrorists have recently pledged allegiance to the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group, which is primarily operating inside Syria and Iraq.

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