Former Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Political Matters, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has warned that Nigeria faces significant risks amid the escalating tensions in Iran.
Baba-Ahmed made the statement during an interview on Trust TV on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
He addressed the recent airstrikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on Saturday, which resulted in the deaths of Iran’s Supreme Leader and several senior political and military officials.
Baba-Ahmed stated that Nigeria too is in trouble and is not safe given the developments in Iran.
He explained that the world is now aware of the fact that two days ago the United States of America and Israel attacked the State of Iran, killed its leader and a number of very senior political and military officers, as well as a number of other citizens.
Baba-Ahmed noted that the United States had decided to effect regime change, meaning the removal of the entire leadership of Iran and possibly installing a different one or giving citizens of Iran a chance to choose who will next govern them.
He added that unfortunately it does not work as neatly as leaders like President Donald Trump think, and what is likely to occur is a lot of chaos, prolonged crisis both within Iran and around it, and a lot of uproar around the world.
Casualties and Actions in the Ongoing Iran War
The ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, which escalated into direct military action on February 28, 2026, has resulted in significant casualties. Initial reports from the Iranian Red Crescent Society indicated at least 555 deaths from strikes across 131 cities, with later updates raising the toll to 787 civilians and military personnel killed in Iran.
Israeli sources reported 11 fatalities, primarily from Iranian retaliatory missile strikes, while U.S. forces sustained minimal losses, with three troops killed in attacks on bases in the region.
Proxy groups aligned with Iran, such as Hezbollah and Houthi rebels, have claimed dozens of additional deaths in related clashes in Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria.Actions taken so far include joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, missile sites, and leadership compounds, leading to the confirmed death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28.
Iran responded with over 400 ballistic missiles and drones aimed at Israel, the UAE, and Qatar, most intercepted by defense systems.
The U.S. has deployed additional naval assets to the Persian Gulf and conducted cyber operations disrupting Iranian communications.
Israel has mobilized ground forces along borders and continued strikes on IRGC positions. International responses include UN Security Council emergency sessions calling for de-escalation, while Russia and China have provided diplomatic support to Iran, condemning the attacks as violations of sovereignty.
Efforts for ceasefire talks remain stalled as of March 3, 2026, with ongoing bombardments and reports of humanitarian crises in affected Iranian areas.
