, also known as the Shi’ites, has accused security agencies of forcefully disrupting){kind=link}
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as the Shi’ites, has accused security agencies of forcefully disrupting its Nisfu Sha’aban event in Abuja.
Nisfu Sha’aban, observed annually to commemorate the birth of Imam Mahdi (AF), a revered descendant of Prophet Muhammad (SAWA), is widely celebrated across the Muslim world.
The IMN, under the leadership of Sayyid Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, had organized the event as part of its religious observances.
In a statement released on Wednesday by Professor Abdullahi Danladi on behalf of the IMN’s Resource Forum, the group revealed that all necessary arrangements had been made for the gathering, scheduled for Friday, February 14, 2025.
However, shortly after the event commenced, security personnel arrived in a convoy of approximately 50 trucks, surrounding the venue.
Danladi alleged that officers from the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies harassed attendees, ordering them to disperse immediately or face forceful removal.
He claimed the security operatives issued threats and created an atmosphere of fear among the unarmed participants.
Authorities reportedly justified the intervention by citing the lack of official permission from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police.
However, Danladi dismissed this claim, arguing that court rulings had previously affirmed that peaceful assemblies do not require prior approval from law enforcement.
The IMN condemned the disruption, stating that it caused psychological distress and financial losses for those who had travelled to attend.
The group has now called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and security chiefs to put an end to what they describe as the unlawful suppression of their religious gatherings.
Additionally, the IMN demanded accountability for those involved in the disruption and vowed to continue exercising their religious rights despite the intimidation tactics.