The Islamic movement in Nigeria has accused the Nigerian Police Force of disrupting peaceful and lawful religious programmes in Abuja, descr...
The Islamic movement in Nigeria has accused the Nigerian Police Force of disrupting peaceful and lawful religious programmes in Abuja, describing the actions as intimidation and a violation of constitutional rights.
In a statement issued on Sunday, signed by
Professor Abdullahi Danladi of the Resource Forum, Islamic movement, and dated
December 14, 2025, the movement demanded an immediate end to what it described
as the harassment and disruption of peaceful religious gatherings, full respect
for constitutional rights and human dignity, and accountability for officers
and authorities allegedly responsible for the actions.
The movement stated that armed police officers
were deployed to disrupt two indoor events: a celebration marking the birthday
of Sayyida Fatima Zahra held in Gwarimpa on Thursday, December 11, 2025, and a
programme scheduled to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Zaria Massacre
on December 13, 2025, also in Abuja.
“Both programmes were scheduled to hold inside halls and posed no security
threat,” the statement added. “Yet armed officers were sent as if to confront
criminals or insurgents. This is not security; this is persecution.”
The Islamic movement argued that the Nigerian
Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, association, and peaceful
assembly, and questioned what it described as the selective application of
these rights.
It further accused security agencies of
focusing on peaceful citizens while the country continues to grapple with
terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of insecurity.
Describing the alleged actions as systematic and deliberate, the movement
warned that persistent intimidation of unarmed civilians could provoke
unnecessary tension and undermine public confidence in law enforcement
agencies.
“The police appear hell-bent on intimidating unarmed civilians and provoking
violence where none exists,” the statement warned.
The statement also called on civil society organisations, human rights
groups, the media, and the international community to take note of what it
described as state-sanctioned repression.
As of the time of filing this report, the
Nigerian Police Force had not responded to the allegations.
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