Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria have taken to the streets to protest the U.S.-Israeli ballistic attacks on Iran, which led to the assassination of its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other top government officials in the country.

The demonstrations, which were reportedly peaceful in several northern states, including Niger, Bauchi, Kano, Yobe, Sokoto and Gombe, saw groups of IMN members expressing their outrage over the coordinated airstrikes on the Middle Eastern country, which claimed lives and destroyed properties.

Reports indicated that the protesters in Gombe gathered on Sunday after observing obligatory prayers, marched from their religious centre in the Tudun Wadan Pantami area, and raised placards bearing inscriptions denouncing the attacks and calling for justice.

Similar peaceful demonstrations also took place in Niger, where scores of Shi’ite members marched through parts of the state, chanting solidarity slogans with Iran.

In a viral video online, many of the protesters were seen chanting Islamic songs against the U.S. while waving Iranian flags and placards with inscriptions such as ‘We stand with Iran’, ‘Let Iran be free’ and several other slogans. 

One of the protesters said, “It has broken our hearts and weakened us. It has also reminded us of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. We felt bad, and we are here to express our concerns.”

Iran’s state-owned and other local media on Sunday confirmed Mr Al Khamenei was killed in his office after it was hit by missiles on Saturday, noting a 40-day mourning period had been declared for the leader, who reigned over Iran for over three decades.

Meanwhile, the acting IGP, Olatunji Disu, on Sunday, charged commissioners of police across the country to intensify surveillance to preempt groups or individuals who might want to capitalise on ongoing global tensions between the U.S. and Israel and Iran to incite religious unrest in the country.

Mr Disu, in a statement by police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin, reaffirmed the police’s commitment to protecting lives and properties “in light of evolving geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and their potential global implications”.

“The Ag. IGP has directed all commissioners of police in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with particular attention to the North-West, North-East, and North-Central zones, to heighten surveillance and intelligence gathering, strengthen collaboration with traditional and religious leaders, enhance visibility policing around worship centres and public spaces, and swiftly address any attempt by individuals or groups to exploit global developments to incite unrest or sectarian tension,” the statement said.