The Islamic Movement in Nigeria, popularly known as the Shi’ites, has threatened to sue the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army over the alleged brutal crackdown on its members during a peaceful procession in Abuja, which reportedly resulted in multiple deaths, injuries, and mass arrests—including that of over 60 minors.
A team of legal representatives led by Barrister Bala Dakum and Barrister Yushau Uthman disclosed this while addressing journalists on Friday. The lawyers condemned the actions of the Nigerian Army during the group’s March 28, 2025 procession held in commemoration of International Quds Day in the Banex Plaza area of Wuse II, Abuja.
According to Dakum, members of the Islamic group were peacefully marching in their thousands when armed soldiers opened fire on them without provocation.
“In this inhumane, callous, and horrific attack, about 26 persons lost their lives, over 30 sustained life-threatening injuries, and approximately 274 were arrested,” Dakum alleged.
He further revealed that those arrested were handed over to the Nigeria Police Force and detained at the now-defunct SARS facility in Abattoir, Garki, under “harsh and dehumanising conditions.” Disturbingly, more than 60 minors were said to be detained alongside suspects of violent crimes, a move the lawyers insist violates the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and the Child Rights Act.
The legal team also decried the withholding of corpses of the victims, claiming that the police had deposited them in undisclosed hospitals, contrary to Islamic burial rites that mandate prompt interment.
“The bodies of our clients are not subjects of any investigation or trial. It is strange and unacceptable that their corpses are being kept in secret,” Dakum said.
He accused the government of a systemic clampdown on the religious rights and freedoms of the Shi’ite community, stating that this attack was one among many that have occurred over the past 11 years.
“Our clients have always held peaceful processions in different parts of the country without incident—except when security agencies intervene. What happened on March 28 is part of a larger plan to silence them permanently,” he added.
Dakum said that if the detained individuals, especially the injured and the minors, are not released promptly, the legal team would seek redress in court.
“We will not use force. The legal route remains our only option, and we are prepared to take that path to ensure justice for our clients,” he stated.
The lawyers also vowed to pursue legal action if the security agencies fail to release the corpses of the deceased for proper Islamic burial.
“In the past, when this happened, we approached the courts and always got favorable judgments. If they refuse again, we will do the same,” Dakum said.
