Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, popularly known as Shi’ites, have claimed that over 100 of their members, including babies and nursing mothers, are being detained by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force following a peaceful Arbaeen procession on August 25.
The detainees, including 55 women and minors, are held at the notorious SARS Abattoir facility in Garki, Abuja. Two babies, Muhammad Jamil (9 months) and Amina Yusuf (11 months), are among those in custody.
Sheikh Sidi Mainasara, in a statement issued in Abuja on behalf of the IMN, condemned the arrests and called for the immediate release of the detainees.
Sheikh Mainasara stated that the arrests occurred during a symbolic trek commemorating the assassination of Imam Hussaini, grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAWA).
He explained that the procession was peaceful, but police officers allegedly used force to disperse the crowd and arrest participants.
The IMN leader mentioned that the Muslim sect has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International, the European Union, and the United Nations, seeking intervention and the unconditional release of the detainees.
He said, “The situation is alarming. 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 (formerly known as SARS Abattoir).
“We believe this is an unlawful detention, as no court in Nigeria could authorize the detention of babies. The police have held them since Sunday, August 25, 2024, without justification.
“Furthermore, we have evidence of abuse. 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.
“In response to these egregious violations, we demand an end to the violation of the rights of Muslim sisters and all those arrested. We also demand the unconditional release of everyone detained.”
