Iran calls in Nigerian charge daffaires over Zaria deaths

On Thursday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry called in the Nigerian official, condemning the attack and calling on the Nigerian government to identify and punish the perpetrators of the gruesome act.

The Nigerian chargé d'affaires also expressed regret over the deadly attack and promised that Abuja would investigate the incident.

He added that the Nigerian government has also condemned this attack and a joint fact-finding committee is scheduled to be set up soon to identify and prosecute the perpetrators of this incident.

Some 25 Nigerian demonstrators were gunned down by security forces during the anti-Israeli rally in the ancient city of Zaria in Nigeria’s Kaduna state on July 25.

On Wednesday, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian censured the deadly attack, saying, “Whatever the justification, attacking peaceful demonstrators rallying along with other Muslims across the world in support of the oppressed people of Gaza is condemned and unacceptable."

In August 1979, the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, declared the last Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan the International Quds Day.

During the rallies marking the Quds Day, demonstrators across the world call for the liberation of Palestine and an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.

More than 1,437 Palestinians have so far been killed and over 8,000 others injured since the Israeli military first launched its offensive on Gaza on July 8.

The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, has been launching retaliatory attacks against Israel.

While Tel Aviv confirms 56 Israelis have been killed in the war, Hamas sources put the number at over 130.

HK

Iran calls in Nigerian charge d'affaires over Zaria deaths