Members of the Islamic Movement, also known as the Shiites, on Wednesday, cautioned President Bola Tinubu and the heads of security agencies in the country to stop continued disruption of their religious activities against their fundamental rights.
Professor Abdullahi Danladi, who spoke on behalf of the Resource Forum of Islamic Movement, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, also demanded for an immediate prosecution of all the security agents involved in violating their religious rights on February 14, 2025.
Danladi disagreed with the argument of the security agents who stormed the venue of their programme that the organisers of the programme did not get the permission of the FCT Commissioner of Police before going ahead with the occasion.
“This claim contravenes the freedom of association as well as clear court verdicts which established that police permission is not a requisite for peaceful association of citizens,” he said.
“We would like to inform the public that Nigerian security agents have disrupted a religious gathering again in Abuja and demand the Tinubu regime to stop violations of religious rights.
“Muslims all over the globe conduct annual festivities at various times. Nisfu Sha’aban programme is an annual auspicious occasion to mark the birthday of Imam Mahdi (AF), the great-grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAWA).
“The birthday was celebrated across the Muslim world, and the Islamic movement under the revered guardianship of his Eminence Sayyid Ibraheem El-Zakzaky (H) was not left behind in such lofty activities.
“As usual, all arrangements have been made to mark this year’s programme in Abuja on Friday, 14th February 2025, at Nigeria Airforce Investments Limited (NAFIL), Acade and Water Parks, opposite Wuye Junction, Wuse District, Abuja.
“No sooner had the programme started, a convoy of about 50 trucks arrived loaded with heavily armed combined forces of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), the Nigerian Army (NA), the DSS and others led by one ACP Magawata cordoned off the venue.
“The security agents immediately started harassing the participants and insisted on the people there to disperse or face their wrath, threatening to use excessive force on unarmed participants of religious activity, without any provocation.
“The pretext of the security agents for the unlawful disruption and harassment of participants of the programme is that the organisers of the programme did not get permission from the FCT Commissioner of Police,” Danladi narrated.
He said the unlawful and abrupt disruption with threats had inflicted trauma on the participants and caused financial and social damages.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the heads of his security operatives should stop disruption of our religious programmes in FCT Abuja or any other place.
“We also demand for an immediate prosecution of all those involved in violating our religious rights.
“We reaffirm our stand to do our religious duties and activities despite the harassment of the agents of oppression,” he concluded.
