TEHRAN (AFP) – Iran on Friday rejected it had committed any “illegal act” in Nigeria after the State Security Service (SSS) paraded three Nigerians accused of spying for the Islamic republic.

Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian was quoted in media reports as saying he “rejected Nigerian and Western media reports of illegal activities by the Islamic republic in Nigeria”.d

Amir-Abdollahian said relations between Iran and Nigeria were “developing” and urged officials of the two nations to prevent such accusations from being made.

On Wednesday, the Nigerian secret police paraded a 50-year-old Islamic cleric and two accomplices who they alleged were spying on prominent individuals and targets for Iran.

Abdullahi Mustapha Berende, presented as a leader of the Shiite sect in the central city of Ilorin, was arrested in December “for his active involvement in espionage and terrorist activities,” Nigerian security service spokeswoman Marilyn Ogar said.

Investigations revealed that Berende, accused of establishing a “terrorist cell” in Nigeria’s southwest, with a particular emphasis on Lagos, recruited the two other suspects for the task, Ogar said.

Berende underwent his training in Iran and his Iranian sponsors requested him “to identify and gather intelligence on public places and prominent hotels frequented by Americans and Israelis to facilitate attacks,” she said.

He allegedly gave to his Iranian handlers the names of former dictator Ibrahim Babangida, and ex-supreme leader of Muslims in Nigeria, Ibrahim Dasuki, as targets for attacks that could “unsettle the West,” she added.

Berende denied involvement in espionage or terror-related activities but admitted seeking information about some individuals and institutions.

The institutions included USAID and the Jewish Cultural Centre (Chabad) in Lagos, Ogar said, adding the suspects would soon be charged in court


http://www.hovabuzz.com/index.php/news/64-iran-rejects-nigeria-spying-allegation-claim

what else do we expect him 2 say? he is definitely going 2 lie....but that wont change d fact that we knw what they r capable of doing and we all knw that most of the middle east countries own one terrorist group or the other eg Hamas,Abba n Hezbollah all own n sponsored by their respective govt either inform of a political party or a state own army....

i expected this, who wud hav agreed to be spying any country considering the implications. thatz why they decided to use Nigerians so if they are caught, they will strictly be on thier own (OYO),it was wisely planned. No spy network accepts when caught, for instance when Amir Mirza Hekmati, the Iranian American dat was caught spying for USA, white house denied dat he was working for them even when all evidences pointed to that fact...Iran still went ahead to sentence him to death anyway. Even in the case of the Cuban Five...when the US caught them, Cuba denied them, so it is a known theory (game) used by any spy networks, when u r caught, u r strictly on ur own...So for them to deny spying in Nigeria against their alleged enemies, Isreal and America, isnt surprising at all, i just pray that our security agencies become more secure cos they may likely come after them now.

If na you, wont you deny.... It is only natural that the allegation would be denied, who was expecting them to agree before? na international politics matter...mstcheew!

Wetin you wan make him talk before.

of course no one expect the Iranian authority to come out and openly admits to embarking on espionage activities in NAIJA..... for the daily reported that no response has been articulated by the government of Iran, NOW..another report says Iran denies. Anyway, let security forces just be on guard and be up and doing because the western and Arab world do not wish African countries any good,(that at least one can see from US plot to make its predictions that Nigeria will break up by 2015 come to pass by all. means)

Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Nigeria has neither denied nor confirmed ties to a terrorist cell uncovered in Lagos.

Apart from shutting it’s doors against the media, the Embassy located at No 1 Udi Hills, Asokoro, a few meters away from the National Headquarters of the State Security Service, is yet to come up with an official response.

This came barely 24 hours after the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, summoned the Iranian Ambassador to Nigeria, Saeed Koozechi, to register the Federal Government’s displeasure with the development.

Some elements just believe that they can capitalize on the loopholes in the Nigerian political systems to perpetrate evil in the country...if at all the Iranian are interested in the relationship between their country and Nigeria, then they don't need to be called upon before defending the purported allegations let alone ignoring calls made by the Minister of foreign affairs...its very obvious that these are sponsored networks, Nigerian security needs to be more vigilant.

In 2010, Nigerian security officials intercepted an Iranian arms shipment containing 13 containers of weapons, including artillery rockets and rifle rounds. An investigation found that the shipment had originally come from the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. Those arrested in connection with the incident included an alleged Iranian Revolutionary Guards member and three Nigerian suspects.

And in 2004, an Iranian diplomat was arrested on suspicion of carrying out espionage against the Israeli Embassy in Abuja.


http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=304123

Nora okon: as for the denial, its normal. but i think every Nigerian should learn from this very incidence. we have to refuse to be manipulated by any country or any body against our country despite situations we find ourselves.

nigeria is weak we can do nting about it

What else were we expecting them to say as in YES! Iran denied Nigerian allegations that it had trained militants arrested in Nigeria on charges of planning attacks on U.S. and Israeli targets there. Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said such allegations were "made up as the result of the ill will of the enemies of the two countries' good relations", Iranian state television reported. But lets look back in time:

In 2004, Israeli sources said an Iranian diplomat was arrested on suspicion of spying on the Israeli embassy in Nigeria's capital Abuja. Tehran denied any arrest.

In 2010, authorities at a Lagos port found a hidden shipment of rockets, rifle rounds and other weapons from Iran, supposedly bound for Gambia. Nigerian and an Iranian face criminal charges over the shipment.

Islamist groups in the north have become the biggest threat to stability in Nigeria. Western governments are increasingly concerned they are linking up with militants outside Nigeria, including al Qaeda's north African wing and now a full indicator is showing us that Iran also is part of our problems.

God punishe devil and ein children

No comment

***wait make i buy gala**

It's public knowledge that Iran is an instigator of spying and terrorist activities. Whether they deny it or admit it, the SSS has done a very good job by fishing out their agents. I would rather believe the SSS than believe that Iran has nothing to do with this revelation.

Iran is a bad country

Black Mamba: In 2010, Nigerian security officials intercepted an Iranian arms shipment containing 13 containers of weapons, including artillery rockets and rifle rounds. An investigation found that the shipment had originally come from the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. Those arrested in connection with the incident included an alleged Iranian Revolutionary Guards member and three Nigerian suspects.

And in 2004, an Iranian diplomat was arrested on suspicion of carrying out espionage against the Israeli Embassy in Abuja.


http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=304123

1800bc: ***wait make i buy gala**

Ok am back...Iran na scam! Our Internal security boys are working and i trowey salute...keep up the good work jare! dont mind dem haters... ***if i catch you,i will stone u wit pure water satchet***

Before nko? Are we expecting them to accept it?.

Wow!! This is really good work by the SSS, iran is a know exporter of terrorism and we must'nt allow our country be a port, we already have boko haram to deal with. We must send a message to the world that we cannot be intimidated just as were're doing with russia for their arms smuggling citizens.

Espionage Network is one of the most organized Cartel in the whole world. So Iran has the right to deny such allegation even when the evidence is so overwhelming. It is an indication that every Nigerian should be on the look out.

This guys are not terrorist but are obviously working for the iranian intelligence agency they same way we have so many CIA and mossad agents everywhere.

Infact most countries do have intelligence agencies that gather infomation for them in foreign countries mostly locals are recruited to aid in that. In Nigeria we have the NIA who are mostly in foreign land gathering infomation, I personally know of somebody planted by NIA in a foreign land as a clergy.

Nigerias problem is not iran but salafis who are funded by saudi arabia but because saudi is a major US ally they are untoucheable,

The SSS should please stay clear of international politics and focus on our domestic threats.

They nvr accept that they have spies anywhere

why do they need spies.. a few wh.ores and you can filch any information you want from any of Nigeria's top dawgs of corruption. a common US diplomat was able to get security sensitive information only a handful of our SSS and DMI know about vaguely. smh! Nigeria is tethering on the edge of a precipice. all you need is a slight breeze at the right angle and she will come crashing down.. like a 10yr civil conflict a good portion of East and West Africa have experienced in the past 4 decades..

HAH: This guys are not terrorist but are obviously working for the iranian intelligence agency they same way we have so many CIA and mossad agents everywhere.

Infact most countries do have intelligence agencies that gather infomation for them in foreign countries mostly locals are recruited to aid in that. In Nigeria we have the NIA who are mostly in foreign land gathering infomation, I personally know of somebody planted by NIA in a foreign land as a clergy.

Nigerias problem is not iran but salafis who are funded by saudi arabia but because saudi is a major US ally they are untoucheable,

The SSS should please stay clear of international politics and focus on our domestic threats.

Your real name and address pls?

. Shebi dem wan com bomb us abi na here dem wan for come dey test dia uranium nonesense abi?

HAH: This guys are not terrorist but are obviously working for the iranian intelligence agency they same way we have so many CIA and mossad agents everywhere.

Infact most countries do have intelligence agencies that gather infomation for them in foreign countries mostly locals are recruited to aid in that. In Nigeria we have the NIA who are mostly in foreign land gathering infomation, I personally know of somebody planted by NIA in a foreign land as a clergy.

Nigerias problem is not iran but salafis who are funded by saudi arabia but because saudi is a major US ally they are untoucheable,

The SSS should please stay clear of international politics and focus on our domestic threats.

so Saudi Arabia is our problem frm ur statement . I understand u js want to be odd in d topic

All diplomats in a bid to avoid dolomitic row often deny claims like this even in the face of overwhelming evidences. Iran is a known terror state. Iran promotes extremism and sponsors some attacks both against some Western States and African countries. I'm happy the SSS has uncovered their plot. Govt should be more careful especially with its foreign policy. Countries like Iran must be treated with suspicion.

Iran again.
The pariah State

HAH: This guys are not terrorist but are obviously working for the iranian intelligence agency they same way we have so many CIA and mossad agents everywhere.

Infact most countries do have intelligence agencies that gather infomation for them in foreign countries mostly locals are recruited to aid in that. In Nigeria we have the NIA who are mostly in foreign land gathering infomation, I personally know of somebody planted by NIA in a foreign land as a clergy.

Nigerias problem is not iran but salafis who are funded by saudi arabia but because saudi is a major US ally they are untoucheable,

The SSS should please stay clear of international politics and focus on our domestic threats.

u spoke well, i was almost carried away not until i read ur last line...where de spies caught outside de country? or inside...as far as i no, the FBI handles internal security affairs while the CIA handles external and i believe the same goes for the NIA and SSS, de handle external and internal security issues respectively...if such a crime shud happen in Nig, and the SSS which i belive r charge to trace and arrest any spy network in Nig amongst other duties like the FBI does, were able to unravel this link, dnt u think the r focusing on their duties, or it is only boko haram dat is Nig's threat?c'mon na, dis guys tried and deserve some commendation, unless u intend to join the 'international politics'.

1800bc:



Your real name and address pls?

The beauty of nairaland is being anonymous though I very well know I one can only be invincible to layman but an agent can get you if you use anything digital expecially subscriber identification module(sim card) which is very well a tracking device.