By Micheal Freeman | January 6, 2026 | SUNTV Global
Israel has announced plans to assist Nigeria in tackling insecurity and protecting vulnerable Christian communities through intelligence sharing and strategic cooperation, Israel’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, has revealed.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Arise TV News, Freeman said the initiative, proposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, focuses on partnership with the Nigerian government while fully respecting the country’s sovereignty. “Our aim is to work with the Nigerian government, and the Prime Minister highlighted issues of intelligence sharing and other areas,” Freeman said. “We will be led and guided by Nigeria on where we can work and partner.”
The envoy emphasized that Israel’s support is not limited to Christians alone but is intended to address Nigeria’s broader security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency, and violent extremism. “This is about working with an ally to tackle insecurity across the country,” he added.
Freeman declined to speculate on Israel’s stance should the United States take unilateral action in Nigeria, describing it as a hypothetical scenario. He reaffirmed that Israel’s consistent approach is to work directly with the Nigerian government and maintain confidentiality on sensitive security matters.
On criticisms regarding Netanyahu’s comments about protecting Christians abroad while Israel faces ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Freeman dismissed claims of contradiction. “What Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke about was Christians across the world, not just in Nigeria,” he said. He highlighted Israel as a model of religious coexistence in the Middle East, pointing out that Christians there enjoy full freedom of worship, high levels of education, and economic prosperity. “During Christmas, thousands of Christians freely celebrated in Jerusalem, walking the Via Dolorosa and visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,” Freeman noted.
The announcement comes amid rising international concern over targeted attacks on Nigerian Christians in the Middle Belt and northern regions, where groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and armed bandits have been blamed for killings, church burnings, and mass displacements. U.S.-based advocacy groups and lawmakers have described the violence as a “genocide,” although the Nigerian government maintains it stems from terrorism and communal conflicts, not religious persecution.
While Nigeria welcomes international support, it opposes any unilateral foreign intervention, warning such actions could undermine national sovereignty and counterterrorism efforts. Israel’s proposed intelligence cooperation represents a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing security while respecting Nigeria’s control over operations.
The initiative signals growing global attention on Nigeria’s security crisis and highlights Israel’s willingness to collaborate with African nations to tackle complex threats affecting vulnerable communities.
