The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), commonly referred to as Shi’ites, has accused the Nigerian military of detaining innocent civilians, including bystanders, hawkers, and vendors, in the aftermath of the recent Arba’een Trek.
The detainees are reportedly being held at Abacha Barracks in Abuja.
According to the IMN, the military, much like the police, conducted indiscriminate arrests during the religious procession, sweeping up individuals who were not even participating in the event.
The group alleges that these detainees, comprising both men and women, are being held without charges and subjected to repeated acts of torture.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, IMN spokesperson Fatima Aliyu Adam claimed that they have evidence of both torture and blasphemy against Islam committed by security personnel. The group has threatened to reveal this evidence within 24 hours.
The IMN strongly condemned the arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions, and acts of torture, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained.
They vowed to hold military officials accountable for the human rights violations allegedly carried out by troops at Abacha Barracks and other locations.
The Shi’ites said, “We would like to inform the public that the Nigerian military has detained some innocent people at Abacha Barracks in Abuja. Those detained by the troops are being tortured multiple times daily.
“We have substantial evidence of the torture inflicted on these detainees, as well as instances of blasphemy committed against the religion of Islam by Nigerian security agents, which we will expose within the next 24 hours.
“Nigerian security agents should note that the grave injustices being inflicted upon us and the rest of the Nigerian populace are beyond comprehension. No conscientious individuals, whether within the security forces or outside, Muslim or non-Muslim, can witness such injustices without feeling compelled to challenge and expose them.
“We condemn the unlawful arrest, detention, and torture of innocent people by the military and demand the unconditional release of all those arrested.”
