Members of the Islamic Movement, also known as Shi’ites, have accused security authorities, mainly police, of executing Free Palestine protestors who have been detained since March 28, 2025.
One of the detainees, Huzaifa Muhammad of Tudun Iya in Katsina State, reportedly died on Monday, April 7, 2025, about 6 p.m., while being held at the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) detention facility in Guzape, Abuja.
The accusation was made during a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday.
Sheikh Sidi Munir Mainasara, speaking on behalf of Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky’s Islamic Movement, addressed what the group alleged as continued human rights violations against members jailed following the 2025 Abuja International Quds Day rally.
According to him, at least 27 demonstrators have died, with 26 purportedly slain during the initial security response on March 28, 2025.
The Shi’ites voiced alarm about what they regard as a contradiction in the government’s approach, pointing out that in March 2025, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar openly condemned Israel’s activities in Gaza and called for an end to the conflict.
During the same time period, the group claimed that federal authorities directed security personnel to crush the Free Palestine protests in Abuja.
The movement has vowed to hold the federal government accountable for the deaths and ongoing detentions, announcing plans to take legal action against the alleged human rights violations.
It also condemned the activities as crimes against humanity and committed to continue nonviolent resistance through prayer and legal channels.
Shaikh Mainasara stated, “We recently received shocking news that Free Palestine protesters detained by the FCT Police Command since 28 March 2025 are dying in custody.
“Among those who recently passed away is Shaheed Huzaifa Muhammad from Tudun Iya, Katsina State, who attained martyrdom on Monday, 7 April 2025, around 6 p.m. at the IRT facility in Guzape, Abuja.”
He continued, “Showing solidarity with the people of Palestine is not a foreign concept to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“In light of these developments, we will hold the federal government, led by President Tinubu, responsible for the killing of 27 Free Palestine protesters. We also vow to pray against all those who ordered or executed the killings and arrests during the 2025 Abuja International Quds Day.
“While condemning this heinous crime against humanity, we are determined to challenge every instance of human rights abuse inflicted on the Free Palestine protesters in court.”
