The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has demanded the unconditional release of all six members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shiites) who were arrested and detained by the police during recent peaceful demonstrations against ongoing genocide in Gaza.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the Nigerian Police is aiding and abetting Israel’s crime against humanity by arresting those protesting peacefully against the Zionist state.
The full statement reads, “Five members of the Nigerian Shiite group were whisked away by the FCT Police Command within the premises of the National Mosque on 31st, May, 2024. They have since been in custody. The five members are Ishaq Haruna, Nura Attahir, Ali Muhammad, Abba Abdulkareem and Abubakar Hamidu.
“Another member, Yahuza Haruna Masaka, was also arrested on 7th May, 2024, bringing the total number of Shiite members in police detention to six.
“MURIC detests the idea of prolonged detention. It is inhuman and it constitutes gross violation of Allah-given fundamental human rights of the victims. It is an infringement on Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Arrest and detention over mere peaceful demonstration also stand in contradistinction to Section 39 of the same Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression and freedom of speech.
“It has also been established time without number that a Nigerian citizen cannot be detained by the police beyond 24 hours. The Nigerian Police must avoid any semblance of the characteristics of Hitler’s polizei. Nigerians do not deserve a Gestapo.
“MURIC therefore demands the immediate release of all six Shiites in detention over their peaceful protest against ongoing genocide in Gaza. In the alternative, all six should be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction for the enforcement of their fundamental human right to freedom without any delay.
“We remind the Nigerian Police that the earlier the Shiites are released, the better the human rights record of the present government of Nigeria. Civil society finds it strange that the Nigerian Police is aiding and abetting Israel’s crime against humanity by arresting those protesting peacefully against undisguised genocide being committed by the Zionist state of Israel.”
