Fresh Storm Brews As Shi’ites Table Explosive Request Before Tinubu Govt

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), widely known as the Shi’ites, has called on the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army to release all its detained members—among them, over 60 minors—or face legal action.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This demand was made public during a press briefing held on Friday, April 4, by the group’s legal representatives, Bala Dakum and Yushau Uthman, following reports of a recent violent attack against their members in Abuja.

It will be recalled that on March 28, 2025, Shi’ite members were allegedly assaulted by personnel of the Nigerian Army while peacefully observing a procession in commemoration of International Quds Day.

Addressing journalists, Dakum warned that if the detained members—especially the injured and minors—are not released promptly, the legal team will have no option but to seek redress in court.

“We cannot resort to violence. We believe in the rule of law and will follow due legal process by approaching the courts,” he said.
“However, we hope that reason will prevail, and they are released soon—particularly the children and the injured, though ultimately we demand the freedom of all who were detained.”

Dakum described the Abuja incident as an avoidable and brutal assault on peaceful demonstrators, alleging that at least 26 people were killed during the army’s live-fire attack at Banex, Wuse II.

“Our clients were out on March 28 to mark International Quds Day, a global annual observance.
While marching peacefully in their thousands, they were suddenly ambushed by armed soldiers who opened fire without provocation.
Twenty-six were killed, more than 30 sustained serious injuries, and 274 others were arrested.”

Those arrested, he said, were later handed over to the Nigeria Police Force and detained at the former SARS facility in Abattoir, Garki, under harsh and inhumane conditions.

The legal team also alleged that detainees were forced to make statements without legal counsel, a direct violation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

Disturbingly, over 60 minors are reportedly among the detainees, held in the same cells as suspects of serious crimes—again breaching both the ACJA and the Child Rights Act.

Dakum further raised concern about the continued withholding of the corpses of those allegedly killed, stating that the authorities have kept the bodies in undisclosed hospitals, preventing their burial according to Islamic customs.

“It is unacceptable. These individuals are Muslims, and everyone knows they should have been buried immediately.
They cannot be investigated or tried posthumously. We’ve taken similar cases to court before and won. We’ll do so again if the corpses are not released,” Dakum declared.

The legal team emphasized that they are fully prepared to challenge both the detentions and the withholding of bodies in court if the government fails to act swiftly.