Police Arrest Six Shi’ites In Abuja As It Crack Down On Pro-Palestine Protest

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police command arrested six members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, also known as Shi’ites, in Abuja during a pro-Palestine protest.

Shi’ites have been staging protests against Israel’s war on Gaza against what it said has been senseless killings of civilians following last year’s Hamas attacks on Israel.

The police cracked down on the protesters, arresting Ishaq Haruna, Nura Attahir, Ali Muhammad, Abba Abdulkareem, and Abubakar Hamidu. They are being detained at the SARS Police Detention Facility in Garki, Abuja.

The protesters who were gathered at the National Mosque in Abuja to show solidarity with Palestine were dispersed while others were arrested.

A statement on Sunday evening by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, led by Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, condemned the arrest and detention of the protesters, demanding their unconditional release.

The statement, which was signed by Sheikh Sidi Munir Mainasara Sokoto on behalf of the Islamic Movement, said, “The police are supposed to be for the preservation of law and order. Yet, they continue to arrest and detain free Palestine protesters.

“This raises questions about whether the Nigerian Police are working for Nigeria or Israel, or if there are Israeli agents in the Nigerian Police promoting Israel’s interests and supporting the massacre in Palestine.

“We condemn the unlawful abduction and detention of Yahuza Haruna Masaka, Ishaq Haruna, Nura Attahir, Ali Muhammad, Abba Abdulkareem, and Abubakar Hamidu by the FCT Police. We demand their unconditional release.

“The Nigerian government supports the creation of the State of Palestine, and there is a Palestinian Ambassador in Nigeria and a Nigerian Ambassador to Palestine based in Egypt. Recently, the Nigerian Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, stated that there is no justification for the carnage in Palestine.

“We urge the police to release the detained protesters and stop supporting Israel’s interests. We also call on the Nigerian government to uphold its commitment to the Palestinian cause and stop the police from perpetuating brutality and repression.”