The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on security agencies to either release Mr. Ramzi Abu Ibrahim or promptly arraign him in court. Ramzi, the President of the Palestinian Community in Nigeria, was allegedly arrested at his Abuja residence last Friday and has not been seen since.
The demand was made in a statement issued on Tuesday, 26th August, 2025, signed by MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
The full statement reads:
“Mr. Ramzi Abu Ibrahim, President of the Palestinian Community in Nigeria, was reportedly arrested on Friday, 22nd July, 2025, at his Abuja home. Since then, he has not been seen and has been unable to contact his family (see report: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/816400-nigerian-authorities-reportedly-arrest-head-of-palestinian-community.html?).
MURIC strongly condemns this Gestapo-style arrest. We had earlier raised concerns when the Federal Government entered into a security alliance with Israel, warning that it could pose serious risks to Muslim leaders in Nigeria. What is happening now may well be one of the consequences of that deal.
We therefore demand the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Ramzi. Any security agency currently holding him must either free him or charge him before a competent court of law.
Detaining a citizen beyond the constitutionally stipulated 48 hours without trial is unlawful, illegal, illegitimate, and unconstitutional. Mr. Ramzi’s fundamental human rights must be upheld.
If his Nigerian citizenship is not in doubt, then holding him beyond the 48-hour period is a clear violation of his right to freedom of movement as guaranteed by Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which states: ‘Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria…’
This right is further reinforced by Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and Article 12 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.
We assert, without ambiguity, that the closer Nigerian security agencies align themselves with these laws, the more civilized our society will become and the more humane our government will be.”
