The Islamic Movement in Nigeria, popularly known as the Shi’ites, has accused the Federal Government of President Bola Tinubu of detaining over 60 minors in a defunct police facility in Abuja following a violent crackdown on its members during a religious procession.
The group’s legal team, led by Bala Dakum and Yushau Uthman, made the allegation on Friday at a press briefing in Abuja, a week after the March 28 incident that reportedly led to the death of at least 26 members of the movement.
According to the lawyers, the security forces, particularly soldiers, opened fire on thousands of Shi’ite members who had gathered peacefully at Banex, Wuse II in Abuja, to mark the annual International Quds Day, an event held by Muslims globally in solidarity with Palestinians.
“We are compelled to address you this evening due to the recent, avoidable but unfortunate and brutal attack on our clients – the Shi’ite Muslim faithful,” Dakum said.
He described the attack as “inhumane, callous, cruel, barbaric and horrific,” stating that alongside the 26 confirmed dead, over 30 others sustained life-threatening injuries while about 274 persons were arrested.
The lawyers further alleged that those arrested, including minors, were transferred to the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit known as ‘Abattoir’ in Garki, Abuja, where they are currently being held under harsh and dehumanising conditions.
“Our clients were later handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, who detained them at the now-defunct SARS facility under degrading circumstances,”
Dakum said. “Despite their dire conditions, they were coerced into writing or signing statements in police custody without legal representation, contrary to the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.”
The group also decried the detention of minors alongside adult criminal suspects in clear contravention of the Child Rights Act.
“Among those arrested and detained were over 60 minors, who have been kept in the same cells as individuals suspected of committing heinous crimes – a clear violation of both the ACJA 2015 and the Child Rights Act,” Dakum said.
In addition, the Shi’ites condemned the continued withholding of corpses by the authorities, noting that it contradicts Islamic burial rites that demand immediate interment of the dead.
“The corpses are now being kept in undisclosed hospitals, which contravenes Islamic rites. This is baffling, considering that the deceased cannot be investigated or tried,” Dakum said.
The legal team vowed to challenge the government in court if the detainees and corpses were not released promptly, citing past legal victories in similar cases.
“On multiple occasions, the court has ruled in our favour and ordered the release of the corpses. These individuals deserve immediate burial. They cannot be tried or investigated after death,” he said.
When asked what their next line of action would be if the detainees remained in custody, Dakum insisted that the legal route would be pursued.
“We cannot resort to violence; we must follow due legal process by approaching the courts,” he said.
“However, we hope that reason prevails and they are released as soon as possible – especially the injured and the children among them, though ultimately, we seek the release of all those detained.”
As of the time of filing this report, the police had yet to respond to the allegations.
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria has frequently clashed with Nigerian security forces in recent years, especially since the 2015 Zaria massacre where hundreds of its members were killed by the army.
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