The Shiite Islamic group has alleged that the Nigerian police detained 274 of its members following their recent public demonstration. Among those detained, the group claims there are 60 minors and 11 individuals in critical medical condition.

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has accused Nigerian security forces of refusing to release the corpses of 26 of its members killed during a pro-Palestine protest in Abuja.

The Shiite Islamic group has alleged that the Nigerian police detained 274 of its members following their recent public demonstration. Among those detained, the group claims there are 60 minors and 11 individuals in critical medical condition.

This was confirmed in a press statement issued by the leadership of the Islamic Movement under the guidance of Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky and made available to SaharaReporters on Tuesday.

The statement, signed by Shaikh Sidi Munir Mainasara, reads: “It could be recalled that on Friday, 28 March 2025, around 2pm, the Guards Brigade unprovokedly attacked the 2025 Abuja International Quds Day held at Usman Bin Affan Mosque along Aminu Kano Crescent, Abuja, and during the attack, the Army killed 26 protesters and arrested 274, including 60 minors; this also includes 11 patients who are still being detained despite their critical health conditions.

“And up to this moment, the Army and the police refused to release both the detained protesters and the corpses of those killed by the Army.

“It is pertinent to state that the crime of both the protesters killed by the Guards Brigade and those being detained by the FCT Police is participation in the 2025 Abuja International Quds Day and demonstrating their support for the freedom of Palestine.”

It noted that International Quds Day was initiated by Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979 and described Quds Day as a Global Day of Solidarity with Palestinians, observed peacefully in over 80 countries.

It said, “The Islamic movement under the leadership of His Eminence Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky has been observing Quds Day for more than four decades. This year alone, Quds Day was observed in more than 17 states of Nigeria, including cities like Lagos, Kano, and Sokoto, without any report of provocations.

“Demonstrating solidarity with the people of Palestine is not a strange ideology to the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. While speaking with Al-Jazeera in Doha, Qatar, in March 2025, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tugar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that ‘Israel must stop its war on Gaza, and the world needs to drop its double standards over the killings in the besieged enclave.’

“But surprisingly, in March 2025, Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, directed the security agents to attack free Palestine protesters in Abuja.

“In view of the foregoing, we are going to hold Bola Ahmed Tinubu responsible for the killing of 27 free Palestine protesters and vow to pray against all those that ordered/executed the killing and arrest of participants of the 2025 Abuja International Quds Day.

“While condemning this devilish crime against humanity, we vow to challenge all the human rights abuses meted out on the free Palestine protesters in court.”