Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, also known as Shi’ites, have alleged that over 100 of their members, including babies and nursing mothers, are being held by the Nigeria Police Force following a peaceful Arbaeen procession on August 25, 2024.
According to Sheikh Sidi Mainasara, who issued a statement on behalf of the IMN, the detainees—among them 55 women and minors—are being held at the Intelligence Response Team facility, formerly known as SARS Abattoir, in Garki, Abuja. Two babies, Muhammad Jamil (9 months) and Amina Yusuf (11 months), are reportedly among those in custody.
Mainasara condemned the arrests and called for the immediate release of all detainees. He explained that the arrests occurred during a peaceful symbolic procession to commemorate the assassination of Imam Hussaini, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
“The situation is alarming,” Sheikh Mainasara said. “We have confirmed that over 100 people, including 55 women, minors, two babies—Muhammad Jamil (9 months) and Amina Yusuf (11 months)—two nursing women, passersby, hawkers, and Arbaeen mourners, are being detained by the police at the IRT facility.”
He described the detention as unlawful, noting, “No court in Nigeria could authorize the detention of babies. The police have held them since Sunday, August 25, 2024, without justification.”
Sheikh Mainasara further alleged that the detainees had faced abuse, saying, “The police forcefully removed the hijabs of our Muslim sisters while in detention. This is not only an abuse of the detained sisters but also an affront to the entire Muslim community and a blasphemy against Islam.”
The IMN has petitioned several organizations, including the National Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International, the European Union, and the United Nations, seeking intervention and the unconditional release of those detained.
“We demand an end to the violation of the rights of Muslim sisters and all those arrested,” Mainasara declared. “We also demand the unconditional release of everyone detained.”
