The current events in Lebanon and Israel impact Nigeria , which is suspected of having Hezbollah training camps. However, the recent developments are generating a minimal amount of hostilities between Nigerian ethnic groups. For the most part, people of Lebanese origin have completely assimilated into Nigerian culture, especially in northern, Sunni-dominated Nigeria. Since the 1950s, Lebanese traders began flocking to Nigeria for the coal and retail trade, and when Nigeria gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1960s, Lebanese immigrants played a crucial role in the development of the current Nigerian state. Monitoring Nigeria, then, is important when reviewing developments in the Middle East .
July 21 witnessed major protests throughout Nigeria–in Zaria City, Kaduna, Bauchi, Suleja, Sokoto, Potiskum, Minna, Katsina, Yola–against Israeli aggression in Lebanon. The protestors were generally pro-Hezbollah activists. Kano, in the north, saw Sheik Ibrahim Zakazky, the Shiite leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (aka Nigerian Hezbollah) since 1979, and Sheik Muhammed Mahmud Turi, Zakazky’s Number Two, lead anti-Israel, anti-US, and pro-Hezbollah demonstrations. Zakazky was instrumental in the late 1970s in coordinating nationwide protests for shari’a law in the Nigerian constitution, and he has served nine years in jail for “sedition or inciting disaffection to [the] government” (source). Over shouts of “Death to Israel, Death to America,” Zakazky proclaimed “–?we have to show our solidarity to Hezbollah and Muslims world over; let them know that here in Nigeria there is also Hezbollah.” The group’s web site, which is relatively current, can be reviewed at: site. Their demonstration ran from Kano Central Mosque to Kano Friday Mosque. Both Zakazky and spokesman Mallam Yusuf Abdullah ‘Yanlemo contended that Muslim nations “suffer more persecution and continued aggression across the globe” (source). ‘Yanlemo called for Nigeria to sever diplomatic ties with Israel and the US, while Zakazky continued in a press release to condemn the US and its allies, the G-8 summit, and the UN for “suppression of the weak” (source). The protestors burned Israel and US flags in the streets to conclude the protests.
Zakazky led a second demonstration, allegedly of millions of Muslims, on July 28. Northern Muslims, in particular, attended this protest. Malam Muktar Sahabi, a Zakazky follower, led the Kaduna state protests, chanting “death to Israel and America.” Supporters distributed a pamphlet, entitled “Our Support for People of Lebanon and Palestine” (see text), and photos are available on the web site. Malam Munir Sokoto in Sokoto state called on Muslims around the world to rise up against Israel. Kano state witnessed US and Israeli flags being desecrated and calls to avenge Israeli “attacks on innocent Lebanese.” There, Sheik Turi, in support of Hezbollah, said, “Jews sheltered in Nigeria would run on their heels,” if Zakazky called for jihad in Nigeria.
Zakazky wishes to install shari’a law throughout Nigeria, modeled on Ayatollah Khomeini’s Shiite Iran , which funded and trained him (source). While he has won significant support, this sentiment is primarily expressed within the northern, Muslim parts of the country. He does, however, have sectarian support, as he champions human rights and favors a socialist economy. However, a more radical off-shoot of Zarkazy is Abubakar Mujahid, the leader of Ja’amutu Tajidmul Islami (The Movement for Islamic Revival). His model for shari’a is the Afghan Taliban because “generally I think they did very, very good.” Shortly after 9/11, he said, “Before we condemn this attack in America we have to see who carried it out, and then see their reasons–most of the people here are happy with the [9/11] attacks because of what America stands for and what it does, in its attitude to the Palestinians” (source). Mujahid’s goal is “an Islamic state, where we are not bound by the West [the ‘arrogant’ and unjust United States]” (source).
Beyond the current crisis involving the Lebanese Hezbollah, both Sheik Ibrahim Zakazky and Abubakar Mujahid merit monitoring. Both men are free, living in the Muslim north of Nigeria, and both have a significant enough following to be of concern. While Nigerian Hezbollah leaders called for subsequent protests on August 4, open source media did not produce any evidence of continued protesting. The current crisis in the Middle East is likely to continue to spark protests and demonstrations around the world, but little more should be expected of Nigeria’s Muslim or Lebanese populations.
