Shi’ites open up on alleged plot to attack US citizens, fix date for procession in Abuja

Shi’ites open up on alleged plot to attack US citizens, fix date for procession in Abuja

The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, has denied allegations that it plans to attack American citizens or institutions in the country, insisting that its activities remain peaceful and lawful.

The group also announced that it has fixed Friday to mark this year’s Quds Day and to mourn the death of Iranian leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The development comes after the United States Embassy in Nigeria issued a security alert warning of a potential terrorist threat targeting American diplomatic facilities and US-affiliated schools in the country.

In the advisory released on Tuesday, the embassy urged American citizens in Nigeria to exercise increased vigilance when visiting US diplomatic premises and institutions linked to the American government.

The alert followed heightened global tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, the head of the IMN Resource Forum, Prof. Abdullah Danladi, dismissed insinuations that the group or its members were planning attacks, stressing that the movement had never engaged in violence.

He said, “In the history of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, which started around 1977, we have never attacked anybody or given instructions to attack anybody.

“We had never and we will never attack anybody. It is not in our line, it is not in our making, and it is not in our religion to attack anyone.”

He questioned why the US Embassy issued a public alert instead of reporting its concerns to Nigerian security agencies.

“Why should an embassy go public with such announcements? If there is any threat, the proper thing is to report it to the Nigerian police so they can investigate and apprehend those planning such actions,” he said.

According to him, the IMN’s annual processions are typically peaceful and only turn violent when security agencies intervene.

“Last year, when security agencies did not attack the procession, everything was done peacefully and concluded peacefully,” he stated.

Danladi said the planned Quds Day procession would involve members walking through designated routes, carrying placards and educating the public about the Palestinian cause.

“What we do is follow the streets, educate people and carry placards. If the police allow us to conduct our activities as they did last year, there will be no problem,” he said.

He also insisted that the group does not require police permission to hold religious gatherings, citing constitutional rights to freedom of association and assembly.

“There is no law that says you must write the police to get permission to congregate and do your affairs,” he said.

He assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory that the procession would remain peaceful.

“Let people be rest assured. As far as we are concerned, we have been doing our activities peacefully and we will continue to do so. So long as we are not attacked, nothing is going to happen,” he added.

Security operatives had earlier heightened deployment in parts of Abuja last week amid fears that members of the Shiite movement might stage protests following developments in Iran, although the anticipated demonstrations did not take place.

The IMN and security agencies have a history of clashes during protests in the Federal Capital Territory.

In one of the group’s demonstrations last year, a violent clash occurred between security operatives and IMN members during a procession marking International Quds Day near Banex Roundabout in Wuse 2.

The group claimed some of its members were killed, while the police confirmed the death of an officer.

With the US Embassy raising concerns and IMN denying any threat, what is your take on the situation? Share your views in the comments.