A section of Nigerians on social media has been reacting to the sudden death of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi.
Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and six other passengers and crew were found early on Monday, May 20 after an overnight search in blizzard conditions.
His death was confirmed and announced by state media early on Monday after rescuers spent hours trying to locate and reach the accident site in a mountainous part of north-western Iran.
Described as a hardliner and potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his death has generated mixed reactions.
While this tragedy is a huge blow to Iranians in the country, citizens outside the country are celebrating his demise.
In Nigeria, many believe his death is a punishment from God for his role in the recent attacks on Israel.
One social media user wrote: "Number 23:23, Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought! The covenant of God upon Israel is the reason why anyone who is against Israel will not live."
Another said: "He angered the God of the Jews. Unfortunately, his fake gods couldn't save him after launching missiles to entertain his Nigerian followers."
One with the handle: obasichisom11 wrote: "God always fights for Israel" while another iam_emmanuel said: "God of Israel doesn't sleep nor slumber. May their death bring lasting peace to the war-ravaged Middle East."
According to the website Iran International, Iranians around the world are celebrating the death of Raisi. The news website said it obtained footage of celebratory fireworks in the skies of Iran.
"Let's celebrate the good news of Ebrahim Raisi’s chopper crash," said one Tehran resident heard in a video sent to Iran International.
More videos obtained by Iran International show Iranians watching and cheering on fireworks set off reportedly in response to the news.
According to state media, the US-made Bell 212 helicopter slammed into a mountain peak, although there was no official reason for the cause of the crash.
The dead also included the governor of East Azerbaijan Province and a senior imam from Tabriz city.
The helicopter went down in Varzeqan region north of Tabriz, state news agency IRNA reported, as Raisi returned from an official visit to the border with Azerbaijan in Iran's northwest.
Raisi, 63, was elected president in 2021, and since taking office has ordered a tightening of morality laws, overseen a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests, and pushed hard in nuclear talks with world powers.
"Let's celebrate the good news of Ebrahim Raisi's chopper crash," a Tehran resident is heard saying in a video he sent to @IranIntl.pic.twitter.com/030e51bONv
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) May 19, 2024
Iran International is obtaining videos showing Iranian people celebrating the news of President Ebrahim Raisi's chopper crash.pic.twitter.com/XRUVDJcLeQ
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) May 19, 2024
“I think this is the only crash in history where everyone is worried if someone survived.”
— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) May 19, 2024
“Happy World Helicopter Day!”
Iranian social media is flooded with jokes about Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter crash. This is how oppressed people fight back through humor.
