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The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest and detention of 97 Islamic Movement of Nigeria members after a clash with the group in…

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest and detention of 97 Islamic Movement of Nigeria members after a clash with the group in Abuja on Sunday. The clash resulted in the deaths of two policemen, with three other officers sustaining severe injuries. Force spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi said that credible intelligence reports helped the police operatives to apprehend the suspects. He said the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’s directives would be carried out, adding that the police boss had reaffirmed the force’s determination to arrest other persons involved in the attack and bring them to justice.

The IMN, Nigeria’s most prominently persecuted religious minority, led by Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, has been at odds with the Nigerian government for decades. The movement, which advocates for an Iranian-style Islamic republic in Nigeria, has faced increasing government crackdowns and has been holding a series of processions in Abuja and northern cities such as Kaduna and Zaria since at least 2015. They have faced attacks by Nigeria’s security services, especially the police and the military. A violent clash in Zaria, Kaduna State, led to the deaths of 348 Shiites in December 2015. The IMN has continued to protest against the way the government treats its members, leading to numerous clashes and arrests. For much of Nigeria’s Muslim population, which identifies as Sunni, the Shiites are viewed as a threat to national security. This perception has led security agencies to treat them accordingly, a stance that was legally reinforced by an Abuja High Court ruling in July 2019, which proscribed the group and resulted in the prolonged detention of its leader, Ibrahim El Zakzaky. The Nigerian government has repeatedly declared the IMN a terrorist organisation and has used force to suppress its activities. This is a mistaken approach, and as we warned in 2015 and in 2016, the Nigerian state risks radicalising the IMN and pushing them towards open violence. This risk shows clearly in the fact that despite this ban and subsequent terrorism designation, the group has continued its regular processions. In the current incident, the police have not yet provided a clear explanation for the altercation. There are also questions about why similar enforcement actions have not been applied to other processions in the past year or two, including those supporting Palestine in the Hamas-Israel conflict in other northern states. Since 2010, when arms shipments from Iran allegedly destined for the group were found in Nigeria’s ports, Nigeria’s handling of the IMN has ranged from commendable to repressive. The continued occurrence of these processions suggests that the government has not decided whether it wants to eradicate the group or is open to managing the situation. Several factors may influence the future of Shiite-government relations in Nigeria. Prosecuting the arrested IMN members could either escalate tensions or provide an opportunity for dialogue. Human rights organisations and foreign governments may push for a more conciliatory approach to religious minorities. The movement’s leadership and strategies may evolve in response to continued pressure. Finding a balance between national security and religious freedom will be crucial for Nigeria’s stability and social cohesion in the coming years.