IMN demands immediate release of detained members, threatens FG

DDM News

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as the Shi’ites, has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army.

Diaspora digital media (DDM) gathered that they demand the immediate release of their detained members.

If their members are not freed promptly, the group has threatened to pursue legal action.

IMN is a group that advocates for Shi’a Islam in a predominantly Sunni Muslim country.

The organization has faced significant opposition from the Nigerian government and security forces in the past.

Tensions between IMN and the Nigerian government reached a new high following a deadly incident on March 28, 2025.

This occurred during the International Quds Day procession in Abuja.

The group’s legal representatives revealed that more than 274 IMN members are currently detained.

Among them are more than 60 minors.

The detained individuals are being held under harsh conditions after a deadly clash with Nigerian security forces.

This clash occurred during their procession in Abuja.

IMN’s legal team condemned the detention of its members as unlawful and inhumane.

They stated that the detained members, many of whom are injured, are being held in deplorable conditions.

The group is particularly concerned about the welfare of the minors and the injured.

At a press conference in Abuja, IMN’s legal representatives, Bala Dakum and Yushau Uthman, expressed outrage over the situation.

Dakum emphasized that the group is committed to seeking justice through legal means.

“We cannot resort to violence; we must follow due legal process,” Dakum declared.

The group vowed to pursue their case in the courts rather than resorting to violence.

The legal team is particularly concerned about the wellbeing of the detained minors.

They have called for the immediate release of the children and the injured members.

The group urged the Nigerian authorities to release all detained individuals promptly.

The group stated that the prolonged detention of these members is unjustifiable.

IMN also accused the Nigerian Army of unprovoked violence during the procession.

The group claims that their members were peacefully marching to commemorate International Quds Day.

During the procession, they were confronted by armed soldiers who opened fire on them.

The soldiers allegedly shot at the peaceful procession without any provocation.

According to IMN, the military attack resulted in the deaths of at least 26 people.

Over 30 others sustained life-threatening injuries during the incident.

In total, more than 270 IMN members were arrested during the clash.

These arrests took place following the deadly confrontation with security forces.

IMN’s legal representatives also criticized the Nigerian Police for their handling of the detained members.

They revealed that the arrested members were detained at the former SARS facility in Abattoir, Garki, Abuja.

The conditions of their detention were described as “harsh and dehumanizing.”

The legal team stated that despite the dire conditions, the detained members were coerced into writing or signing statements.

These statements were written without legal representation.

This, according to the legal team, is a violation of the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) of 2015.

IMN also condemned the detention of over 60 minors.

These minors were allegedly placed in the same cells as adults accused of serious crimes.

This practice, the group argues, is a clear violation of the ACJA and the Child Rights Act.

The treatment of minors in such a manner has raised serious legal and ethical concerns.

The group has also accused the security agencies of withholding the bodies of their members who were killed during the clash.

The bodies of the deceased members are reportedly being kept in undisclosed hospitals.

This, according to the group, contravenes Islamic burial rites that require the dead to be buried promptly.

IMN expressed disbelief that the bodies are being withheld, given that they cannot be investigated or tried.

The delay in the burial process is seen as a deliberate violation of Islamic practices.

Dakum stated that this is baffling, as the deceased members should have been buried in accordance with religious customs.

As of now, neither the Nigerian Army nor the Nigerian Police have officially responded to these allegations.

However, IMN’s legal team has made it clear that they will pursue all necessary legal avenues.

The group insists that they will not rest until their detained members are released.

The confrontation between IMN and Nigerian security forces highlights ongoing tensions between the group and the state.

This clash has drawn attention to the treatment of IMN members by the Nigerian government.

Human rights organizations have also raised concerns about the treatment of the detained members.

The group’s legal team insists that their members should be treated in accordance with both Nigerian and international law.

They believe that the continued detention of their members, especially minors, is a violation of their rights.

The incident has sparked widespread discussions about the treatment of minority religious groups in Nigeria.

The legal actions IMN plans to take will likely result in further scrutiny of the Nigerian security forces.

If successful, these actions could set a legal precedent for the treatment of members of religious minority groups in Nigeria.

As the situation continues to develop, it remains to be seen how the Nigerian authorities will respond.

The group’s determination to pursue justice may lead to significant legal challenges for the government.

This latest conflict between IMN and Nigerian security forces is a reflection of the broader struggles faced by religious minorities in the country.

The group’s efforts to secure the release of their detained members are likely to intensify in the coming weeks.

Whether these efforts will lead to a change in the treatment of Shi’a Muslims in Nigeria remains uncertain.

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