Israel has moved to calm concerns in Nigeria after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government could help protect Christian communities in countries where they face persecution, including Africa’s most populous nation.
Michael Freeman, Israeli ambassador to Nigeria, said the proposed engagement with Abuja would centre on intelligence sharing and close cooperation with Nigerian authorities, not unilateral action.
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Speaking on Arise TV on Monday, Freeman stressed that any Israeli involvement would fully respect Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“This is about working with Nigeria. This is not about working against Nigeria,” he said. “It is working with them as a partner, as an ally, and seeing what we can do.”
Netanyahu raised the issue last week during a meeting with evangelical Christian leaders in Florida, where he described Christians in several countries as being persecuted and presented Israel as uniquely positioned to offer protection. He specifically mentioned Nigeria, a country already battling years of deadly attacks by armed groups across several regions.
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His comments triggered strong reactions among Nigerians, many of whom were still reeling from the shock of surprise United States air strikes carried out on Christmas Day. The timing and tone of the remarks fuelled fears of possible foreign intervention in Nigeria’s internal security challenges.
Freeman said those fears were misplaced. He explained that Netanyahu was referring mainly to cooperation in intelligence and security analysis, aimed at preventing attacks and saving lives.
“He emphasised the issue of intelligence sharing and working in that area,” the ambassador said. “That is certainly where we will be looking to work with the Nigerian government, to see where we can work together to stop the attacks that are taking place against Christians, but also against Muslims and against all Nigerians.”
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Freeman added that Israel’s concern was not limited to one religious group or to Nigeria alone.
“Our interest is to work with Nigeria to stop all the violence in this country,” he said, noting that Netanyahu’s remarks extended to other parts of the world where Christian communities face threats.
Nigeria has repeatedly said that insecurity in the country is complex and affects people of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds. While Christian communities have been targeted in some attacks, Muslims have also suffered heavily from insurgency, banditry, and communal violence.
Israeli officials say any future cooperation will be shaped by dialogue with the Nigerian government, as both sides weigh how intelligence sharing and security collaboration could help reduce violence without infringing on national sovereignt
