President Bola Tinubu led administration has condemned Israel’s recent strike on Iran, describing it as a move that has dangerously escalated tensions between the two nations.

In a statement issued Saturday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the FG expressed deep concern over the intensifying hostilities, which have involved sustained missile and aerial attacks exchanged between Iran and Israel.

The FG called for an immediate end to the violence and urged both countries to show maximum restraint.

According to the statement, continued retaliation risks not only civilian lives but also threatens to destabilise the wider Middle East, with serious consequences for international peace and economic stability.

“The government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria condemns Israel’s preemptive strike on Iran that has led to an escalation of hostilities between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel, marked by sustained missile and aerial exchanges across both territories.

“Nigeria expresses its grave concern and calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urges both parties to exercise utmost restraint in the interest of regional and global peace.

“The continued cycle of retaliation not only endangers civilian lives but threatens to plunge the broader Middle East into further instability, with implications for international security and economic development,” MFA stated.

Reaffirming its longstanding commitment to peaceful coexistence and diplomatic resolution of conflicts, the FG emphasised the importance of dialogue over confrontation.

The government also called on the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to step up efforts to de-escalate the situation and facilitate meaningful negotiations between the parties involved.

“Military action is not a substitute for negotiation,” the statement read, stressing that enduring peace must be built on diplomacy, mutual respect, and adherence to international law.

Nigeria pledged its support for all sincere efforts aimed at restoring calm and fostering peace in the region.

“As a nation deeply committed to the principles of peaceful coexistence, non-aggression, and multilateral diplomacy, Nigeria calls on all involved to prioritise dialogue over confrontation.

“We urge the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to intensify efforts toward immediate de-escalation and to provide a platform for constructive engagement.

“The path to lasting peace lies in diplomacy, mutual respect, and adherence to international law. Nigeria stands ready to support all genuine efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions and promoting peace in the region,” the statement added.

On Friday, Israel launched a major air campaign targeting around 100 sites across Iran, including nuclear and military facilities, killing several senior Iranian military leaders.

The strikes, marking one of the most significant escalations between the two countries in recent years, triggered widespread international reactions urging calm and diplomacy to prevent further conflict.

Among those killed were Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, General Mohammad Bagheri, and the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei called Israel’s wave of strikes a “declaration of war”, as he warned Israel it faced a “bitter and painful” fate over the attacks, while the Iranian military said there were “no limits” to its response.

President Bola Tinubu led administration has condemned Israel’s recent strike on Iran, describing it as a move that has dangerously escalated tensions between the two nations.

In a statement issued Saturday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the FG expressed deep concern over the intensifying hostilities, which have involved sustained missile and aerial attacks exchanged between Iran and Israel.

The FG called for an immediate end to the violence and urged both countries to show maximum restraint.

According to the statement, continued retaliation risks not only civilian lives but also threatens to destabilise the wider Middle East, with serious consequences for international peace and economic stability.

“The government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria condemns Israel’s preemptive strike on Iran that has led to an escalation of hostilities between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel, marked by sustained missile and aerial exchanges across both territories.

“Nigeria expresses its grave concern and calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urges both parties to exercise utmost restraint in the interest of regional and global peace.

“The continued cycle of retaliation not only endangers civilian lives but threatens to plunge the broader Middle East into further instability, with implications for international security and economic development,” MFA stated.

Reaffirming its longstanding commitment to peaceful coexistence and diplomatic resolution of conflicts, the FG emphasised the importance of dialogue over confrontation.

The government also called on the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to step up efforts to de-escalate the situation and facilitate meaningful negotiations between the parties involved.

“Military action is not a substitute for negotiation,” the statement read, stressing that enduring peace must be built on diplomacy, mutual respect, and adherence to international law.

Nigeria pledged its support for all sincere efforts aimed at restoring calm and fostering peace in the region.

“As a nation deeply committed to the principles of peaceful coexistence, non-aggression, and multilateral diplomacy, Nigeria calls on all involved to prioritise dialogue over confrontation.

“We urge the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to intensify efforts toward immediate de-escalation and to provide a platform for constructive engagement.

“The path to lasting peace lies in diplomacy, mutual respect, and adherence to international law. Nigeria stands ready to support all genuine efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions and promoting peace in the region,” the statement added.

On Friday, Israel launched a major air campaign targeting around 100 sites across Iran, including nuclear and military facilities, killing several senior Iranian military leaders.

The strikes, marking one of the most significant escalations between the two countries in recent years, triggered widespread international reactions urging calm and diplomacy to prevent further conflict.

Among those killed were Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, General Mohammad Bagheri, and the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei called Israel’s wave of strikes a “declaration of war”, as he warned Israel it faced a “bitter and painful” fate over the attacks, while the Iranian military said there were “no limits” to its response.

Segun Sowunmi, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 presidential campaign, has revealed that he would consider joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) if the PDP continues on what he described as a path of self-destruction.

Sowunmi made the remarks during an appearance on TVC’s Your View on Tuesday, following his recent meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He praised both President Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari as exemplars of political consistency, describing them as “stable leaders” who have remained ideologically grounded since 1998.

“Let me be very upfront. I’ve always said, and I’ve said it many times over: if I ever leave the PDP, I’m going to the APC,” Sowunmi declared. “Why? Because at least I can accept that the two main pillars of the APC — President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu — are stable people. They don’t jump from one political tendency to another, and they’ve been remarkably consistent.”

While reaffirming his current commitment to the PDP, the former Ogun State governorship aspirant stated that if he were to cross over to the APC, he would first consult his longtime friend, Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, and review the party’s constitution before making a final decision.

“If I have to go to the APC, I’ll first visit my friend Felix Morka. I’ll sit down with him, ask for the constitution of the party, and read it,” he said.

Sowunmi also took issue with the ongoing coalition efforts being championed by Atiku Abubakar, expressing strong disapproval of what he sees as a tendency within the PDP to constantly seek new political alliances.

“One of the reasons I’m irritated by this talk of coalition is that I can’t imagine how decent political people think it’s their duty to look for a new platform every election cycle. I don’t agree with that. If I must leave, I will go to a place that values long-term stability,” he said.

Known for his vocal criticism of President Tinubu, Sowunmi appears to have softened his stance after meeting with the President. In a recent interview on Channels Television, he said the meeting helped him better understand the government’s policies and gave him clarity on Tinubu’s vision.

He added that he has known President Tinubu since 1994 and would not rule out the possibility of working with him.

In a parting remark, Sowunmi said Tinubu possesses a sharp political mind, claiming that the President is more astute than all his political rivals, including Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation barring citizens from 12 countries from entering the United States, as part of a renewed effort to tighten immigration controls.

The affected countries include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. According to the proclamation, nationals from these countries will face a full suspension of entry into the U.S.

Additionally, citizens from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela will face partial travel restrictions.

The directive is scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT (5:01 a.m. Nigerian time) on June 9, 2025.

In a video posted to X on June 5, President Trump explained that the travel restrictions are intended to bolster national security and prevent the entry of individuals who cannot be adequately screened.

“We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen… That is why today I am signing a new executive order placing travel restrictions on countries including Yemen, Somalia, Haiti, Libya, and numerous others,” Trump said.

He further stated that the list of affected countries could be updated in the future, depending on security assessments.

According to Trump, countries facing the most severe restrictions were found to host significant terrorist activity. Others were cited for poor cooperation with U.S. visa security measures, failure to provide reliable identity verification, inadequate record-keeping on criminal histories, and high incidences of visa overstays.

The new proclamation follows an earlier executive order issued on January 20, at the start of Trump’s second term, which called for intensified vetting procedures for all foreign nationals seeking to enter the U.S. That order also instructed relevant government agencies to recommend countries to be included in the travel ban based on deficiencies in security screening processes.

The latest move is part of a broader immigration agenda that includes tighter controls on individuals from regions deemed to pose potential security threats, including the Gaza Strip, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen.