The Islamic Movement has condemned the alleged firing of live ammunition by the police in the premises of Jumu’at Mosque while attacking the Abuja International Quds Day Procession.
Fatima Aliyu Adam, in a statement on behalf of the Academic Forum of the Islamic Movement under the leadership of his Eminence Sheikh Ibraheem Ya’qoub El-Zakzaky (Hafizahullah), made the allegation in Abuja.
She said, “On Friday, April 14, 2023, around 1400 hours, at Fou’ad Lababidi Jumu’at Moque, Zone 3, Wuse, Abuja, a team of Nigeria Police attacked the International Quds Day and Free Palestine procession organised by the followers of His Eminence Sheikh Ibraheem Ya’qoub El-Zakzaky (H).
“The Police started firing teargas and live ammunition immediately after the Juma’at Mosque within the premises of the Juma’at Mosque, dispersing both the protesters and people who came for the Juma’at prayers.
“The report we gathered revealed that the police started harassing Muslims that came for Juma’at prayer around 1300 hours.
“Eyewitnesses stated that we saw policemen beating and harassing a lady that came for Juma’at prayer, and the lady we know very well; she is always coming to the mosque for prayer, and she is not part of the Free Palestine protesters.’
She said during the attack led by the police, they shot and killed Yakubu Umar, a 17-year-old boy.
“Yakubu was born in Suleja, Niger State. He did his primary schooling at Madarasatul Amirul Mumininah, Suleja, and attended the Government Junior Secondary School Shu’aibu Na’ibi, Suleja, Niger State.
“The attack injured dozens of people, and around 20 people, including passersby, were arrested and detained.”
Adam said the attack is totally against Sections 13 (General Rules) and 14 (Application of Force) of the Nigeria Police Code of Conduct.
“Expressing support for the oppressed is part of our religious duties, and the police have no right to stop us from exercising our religious duties and beliefs.
“We consider the attack barbaric and unprofessional. The procession conducted Friday, April 14, 2023, in Abuja is an international event, and a similar programme was conducted the same day in Marsham Street, London, and other cities like Washington DC, New York, Paris, etc without a police attack.
“Our gratitude to Allah (SWT): despite police brutality, the Abuja International Quds Day and Free Palestine procession started and ended successfully as designed.
“Unfortunately, like Israel, like Nigeria, while security agents in Israel are attacking Palestinian people in Al-Aqsa Mosque, Quds, at the same time, police in Nigeria are attacking Muslims in Jumu’at Mosque in Abuja.
“In view of the foregoing, we vehemently condemn the police misconduct of firing live ammunition within the premises of Fou’ad Lababidi Jumu’at Moques, Zone 3, Wuse Abuja, while attacking the Abuja International Quds Day and Free Palestine procession.
“Secondly, we condemn the attitude of the police in harassing Muslims that came for prayers in efforts to stop the procession. We also condemn the killing of a minor, Yakubu Umar, and have promised to take legal action against the police,” she said..
