AhlulBayt News Agency: Nigerian security agents are planning coordinated attacks on the homes and properties of followers of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, according to a report.
SaharaReporters reported on Sunday, quoting sources that the operation is scheduled to take place around 2:00 a.m. on Monday in Abuja and surrounding areas, including Maraba.
Security agents have advised their relatives to avoid locations associated with Shia Muslims in Abuja, Maraba, and other areas, the report said.
"There is a planned attack by security agents on residences and facilities of Al-Zakzaky's followers in Maitama, Asokoro, Garki, Airport Road, Maraba, etc. They said Monday at 2:00 a.m.," one source disclosed.
On March 28, 2025, at least 26 people were reportedly killed and many others injured in an attack on the IMN members by the Nigerian Army on an International Quds Day demonstration in Nigeria's capital city of Abuja.
Video footage of the scenes shows armed forces securing the perimeter as protestors flee for cover while bullet shots are heard.
The footage also shows soldiers dragging the lifeless body of a civilian on the street and dumping it into a pickup while beating two other protesters and forcing them to get into another truck.
While the event was conducted peacefully across Nigeria, the Abuja procession was targeted by the army.
The protesters were marching peacefully after observing Friday prayers at Banex Plaza when Army soldiers stationed near the mosque fired upon them.
In response, the IMN has vowed to take legal action if the Nigerian government and army fail to release detained members, including over 60 minors.
The group's legal representatives, Bala Dakum and Yushau Uthman, talked to journalists on Friday, condemned the March 28 attack and demanded justice for the victims.
“While peacefully carrying out their procession in the Banex area, Wuse II, Abuja, in their thousands, they were unexpectedly confronted by a group of armed soldiers who, without any provocation, began firing live ammunition at them,” they said.
“As a result of this inhumane, callous, cruel, barbaric and horrific attack, about 26 persons lost their lives, over 30 sustained various degrees of life-threatening injuries, and around 274 were arrested by the soldiers,” they added.
The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) had expressed concern over attacks against protesters after it was revealed that Nigerian authorities were making preparations in this regard as a pretext for an attack.
The Office of the National Security Adviser had stressed the necessity to stop the al-Quds day demonstration to “prevent a breach of the peace” by the pro-Palestinian protesters, according to a leaked internal letter seen by the IHRC.
In the leaked communiqué, Nigerian authorities had warned that though the pro-Palestinian demonstrations were peaceful, the protesters had the potential to seek justice by attacking US and Israeli interests in the country. Therefore, their demos must be stopped.
This method has been used by Nigeria’s pro-Israel officials in recent years to prompt the forces to stage a violent crackdown on the demonstrators.
At least one person was killed, and many more were injured after police opened fire on the Quds Day demo in Abuja in 2023.
In 2014, Nigerian security forces killed 34 demonstrators after opening fire on a rally in Zaria.
........................
End/ 257
Your Comment