The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), commonly referred to as the Shi’ite group, has publicly refuted recent allegations linking it to a potential plot against American citizens and diplomatic facilities in the country.
In a press briefing held today in Abuja, the group also confirmed it will proceed with its annual Quds Day procession this Friday, March 13, vowing that the event will be conducted peacefully.
Addressing journalists, the head of the IMN Resource Forum, Professor Abdullah Danladi, dismissed the security alerts issued by the U.S. Embassy as unfounded. The Embassy had earlier warned of potential terrorist threats targeting American diplomatic premises and U.S.-affiliated schools amid heightened global tensions.
“In the history of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, which started around 1977, we have never attacked anybody or given instructions to attack anybody,” Professor Danladi stated. “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.”
Danladi criticized the U.S. Embassy for making the alert public rather than reporting specific concerns to Nigerian security agencies for proper investigation. He emphasized that the IMN’s activities remain constitutional and non-violent, asserting the group’s right to freedom of assembly.
The IMN has fixed Friday for this year’s Quds Day procession, an event held to express solidarity with the Palestinian cause. The group also stated that the procession would serve as an opportunity to mourn the passing of Iranian leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Professor Danladi assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that the march would be peaceful, involving members walking through designated routes, carrying placards, and educating the public.
“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. “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.”
The announcement comes amid heightened security deployments in parts of Abuja. The relationship between the IMN and security agencies has been strained in the past, with clashes occurring during processions. However, the group points to last year’s Quds Day event, which concluded without incident when security forces did not intervene, as evidence of their peaceful intent.
The IMN has a history of holding large-scale religious processions in the FCT, including the annual Arbaeen trek, which often draws thousands of participants. The group maintains that its activities are focused on spiritual reflection and advocacy for oppressed populations globally.